BRUCE    MAC  LELLAND 


IJWf.  OF  CALIF.  LIBRARY.  LOR 


INTO  THE  LIGHT 


BY 
BRUCE  MAcLELLAND 

Author  of  "  Prosperity  through  Thought  Force" 


R.  F.  FENNO  &  COMPANY 

18  East  17  Street,   New  York 


2131635 


OOPTHIGHT,    1916, 

By  R.  F.  FENNO  &  COMPANY 


INTO  THE  LIGHT 


CONTENTS. 


Credo 3 

Introduction 5 

God  in  Man 9 

Eternity  is  Now 21 

Thinking  and  Thought  Action    .     .     36 

Law  Governs;  not  Fiat 52 

Prosperity  thro'  Development     .     .     64 
Repetitions  and  Modern  Thoughts  .     87 

An  Appeal 113 

An  Address  ,121 


dedicated  to: 

That  love  of,  and  for  humanity,  which  actuates 
some  men  to  suffer  martyrdom  to  uplift  mankind. 


CREDO. 


This  philosophy  teaches: 

That  life  is  an   everlasting  evolution. 

Eternity  is  now.    We  are  living  in  it. 

Heaven  is  within  you.  A  condition  of 
mind — not  a  place. 

Mankind  may  live  in  heaven  by  get- 
ting into  communion  with  Infinity — now. 

All  have  the  Divine  Life  within — We 
are  Gods. 

Humanity  has  always  been  on  the  up- 
ward trend  towards  wisdom  and  com- 
munion with  the  Supreme. 

Inspiration  is  common  to  mankind  and 
will  come  to  whosoever  finds  peace. 

The  Creator  seeks  this  communion  but 
mankind  does  not  establish  the  necessary 
conditions  to  permit  the  inflow  of  divine 
love. 


Credo. 

If  such  conditions  are  established  the 
inflow  of  wisdom  will  remove  the  desire 
to  do  evil. 

Thought  is  the  force  which  develops 
character.  Divine  thought  ennobles  and 
strengthens  man. 

Law  governs  the  spiritual  would  with 
the  same  exactness  with  which  it  governs 
the  constellations. 

Sickness,  insanity,  anger,  viciousness 
are  sins. 

The  right  impulse  from  the  soul  is  more 
essential  than  the  act.  If  the  impulse  is 
right  the  act  will  be  right.  If  not  restric- 
tions on  actions  will  not  prevent  the 
wrongful  act. 


INTRODUCTION 

WHEN  a  faint  glow  of  reason  first  be- 
gan to  tint  the  sky  of  intelligence  with  its 
purple  sheen,  the  primitive  man  felt  the 
spirit  feebly  stir  and,  grasping  blindly, 
sought  to  find  his  God.  The  fears  engen- 
dered by  the  wild  confusion  of  his  age  kept 
him  in  a  constant  dread  and  wild  his 
groupings  ran.  With  plastic  clay  and  un- 
skilled hands,  he  idols  made;  then  bowed 
in  awe  before  his  own  creations.  In  every 
crash  of  Nature's  storm  he  found  another 
God,  and  to  appease  him  bowed  in  diffi- 
dence and  fear.  Demons  filled  his  dreams 
with  nightmares  drear  and  terror  swept 
his  soul. 

As  the  ages  older  grew  he  sat  beneath 

the  stars  and  wondered  what  they  were. 

The  spirit,  ever  ready  to  uplift  mankind, 

spoke  to  him  so  soft  and  low  it  stilled  his 

5 


6  Introduction. 

fears;  then  thoughts  began  to  form. 
These  thoughts  of  love  and  mystery,  and 
wonders  yet  unknown;  began  to  clear  the 
cloud  of  fear  and  lead  the  man  along. 
It  led  him  through  the  labyrinth  of  Gods 
for  every  passion  and  taught  him  of  the 
God  within,  loving  and  omniscient. 

Out  from  the  heart  a  something  cries 
unto  the  silence  for  a  God  and  in  the 
heart  is  shaped  the  power  that  each  would 
bend  before  in  fear,  or  reverence  and  love. 

The  one  creates  a  mighty  man  and  sets 
him  on  a  golden  throne  to  praise  or  pun- 
ish as  emotion  moves,  responding  to  the 
impulse  such  as  moves  in  man. 

Another,  higher  grown,  sees  naught 
within  his  God  of  form,  but  as  a  spirit 
deems  him,  and  yet  the  highest  grown, 
in  awful  majesty  of  awe,  is  conscious  of 
God  as  Law;  vibrant  in  all  and  every- 
thing. A  life  omniscient,  centering  in 
atoms  all  and  every  one,  and  from  such 
center  ever  growing  till  the  spark  shall  at 
last  encompass  all.  To  these  all  life,  all 


Introduction.  7 

thought,  all  acts  are  good,  and  peaceful 
live  they,  welcoming  the  expansion  of 
Him  who  lives  within. 

What  this  power  is  has  not  been  re- 
vealed. Nor  has  any  man  the  right  to 
define  Infinity.  The  finite  mind  is  not 
capable  of  the  conception. 

We  know  the  effect  of  close  commu- 
nion with  him,  know  that  it  brings  content- 
ment, prosperity,  and  indwelling  peace; 
and  know  how  such  communion  can  be 
established,  but  as  to  the  personality  we 
know  naught. 

To  say  God  is  spirit  means  nothing;  no 
more  than  would  it  if  we  say  Spirit  is 
Spirit. 

The  law  has  been  revealed  to  me.  On 
that  subject  I  speak  with  the  voice  of  au- 
thority, but  the  lawmaker  is  not  revealed. 
Nor  will  I  voice  a  speculation  as  a 
truth.  My  understanding  is  the  product 
of  inspiration.  Any  man  may  receive  it 
if  peace  is  developed  in  the  inner  life. 
Once  received  we  cry  in  unison,  honor 


8  Introduction. 

not  me,  but  rather  honor  ye  the  Father 
whose  wisdom  speaks  through  me. 

Seek  ye  peace  and  know  of  your  own 
knowledge  the  law. 

Out  from  within  came  my  understand- 
ing, nor  was  it  taught  by  man. 

Men  teach  us  that  mankind  was  lost 
and  God  sent  His  only  begotten  son  to 
save  us  from  sin,  but  I  tell  you  that  the 
world  has  always  been  progressing,  has 
never  been  lost,  and  did  not  require  a  be- 
gotten son  to  save  it.  Nor  does  the  Su- 
preme resort  to  such  methods.  He  comes 
to  us  in  the  silence  of  meditation  and 
thrills  the  man  with  his  message  of  wisdom 
and  of  cheer. 

When  down  in  the  quiet  depth  of  eon- 
centrative  silence  a  radiance  comes  and 
with  it  understanding.  The  sealed  book 
opens  and  from  its  pages  we  glean  the  les- 
son of  life.  Mysteries  unfold  and  a  wis- 
dom not  from  man  guides  us  onward  to 
destiny. 

BRUCE  MACLELLAND. 


INTO  THE  LIGHT 


GOD  IN  MAN 

WITHIN  the  inner  self  of  man  lies  all 
knowledge.  This  inner  self  is  always  in 
touch  with  the  Creator.  Because  man  is 
thinking  always  of  those  things  which  be- 
long to  this  worldly  life;  because  he  is 
swayed  by  passion,  and  greed,  his  atten- 
tion is  not  attracted  by  the  incessant  call 
of  the  inner  life  that  he  stop,  listen  and 
hear. 

Because  he  does  not  he  grows  farther 
away  from  his  own  guidance  which  would 
take  him  into  touch  with  the  source  of 
wisdom  and  bring  happiness. 

He  is  the  man  who  loseth  even  that  he 
hath.  To  make  this  important  point 
clearer  let  it  be  restated  in  this  wise: 

Man  is  body,  mind  and  soul,  or  that 
9 


10  Into  the  Light. 

spark  of  divine  life  we  term  the  God  in 
man. 

The  body  has  an  intelligence  of  its  own 
independent  of  the  mind.  The  closing  of 
the  eye  before  the  oncoming,  almost  im- 
perceptible, speck  which  would  enter  and 
injure  it  before  the  mind  is  aware  the 
speck  is  coming,  is  an  example  of  the  use 
of  the  body  intelligence. 

The  mind  is  what  we  designate  as  "  I." 
It  is  the  thinking,  controlling  individu- 
ality. Mind,  in  the  ordinary  person,  is 
governed  in  its  thought  and  limited  in  its 
intelligence  to  the  experiences  it  has  had. 
Since  these  experiences  of  a  necessity  are 
limited  the  wisdom  of  each  mind  is  ac- 
cordingly restricted. 

Therefore,  if  a  question  arises  the  de- 
cision must  be  based  upon  the  result  ob- 
tained from  some  similar  previous  ex- 
perience, or  the  nearest  experience  to  the 
case  arising.  If  no  such  condition  has 
arisen  the  mind  is  at  sea  and  cannot  de- 
cide. 


Into  the  Light.  11 

All  technical  learning  is  properly  the 
property  of  the  mind.  The  mind  may  be 
learned  but  hardly  wise. 

The  soul  is  the  God  in  man  and  is  of 
wonderful  intelligence.  It  knows  noth- 
ing of  learning,  but  all  of  wisdom. 

Intuition  is  the  voice  of  the  soul  speak- 
ing to  the  mind. 

Some  people  are  naturally  in  closer 
touch  with  their  souls  than  others.  When 
one  says,  "  I  feel  that  this  is  the  right 
thing  to  do,"  it  means  the  wisdom  of  the 
soul  has  reached  his  mind  unconsciously. 

Now  this  wisdom  of  the  soul  may  be 
consciously  used  by  developing  harmony 
between  body,  mind  and  soul,  which  is 
the  principal  aim  and  purpose  of  this  ef- 
fort. 

Notice,  please,  that  a  learned  mind  is 
not  therefore  wise,  and  an  uneducated 
person  may  be  possessed  of  great  wisdom. 

If  the  mind  rests  and  listens  the  prompt- 
ing comes  to  seek  repose,  to  think  slowly. 
Then  as  the  mind  becomes  calm  new 


12  Into  the  Light. 

thoughts  arise  and  new  feelings  come  to 
start  into  existence  the  then  dormant 
qualities  of  godlife  and  it  grows  into  the 
character  of  our  God. 

When  anxiety  comes  by  turning  to  the 
inner  self  rest  may  be  found  through 
which  to  gain  power  to  persevere  in  calm, 
happy  pursuit  of  the  object  desired. 

Thus  God  is  in  man  and  man  is  in  God, 
forever  and  inseparable.  Because  only  of 
man's  conformity  to  the  things  of  this 
world  does  he  fail  to  receive  guidance  in 
every  act  through  direct  inspiration. 

No  depth  of  depravity  can  eliminate 
this  god  in  the  inner  self.  Depravity  of 
mind  can  only  incase  it  within  an  atmos- 
phere of  vileness  which  separates  it  from 
the  mind.  Once  sought  it  will  respond, 
even  in  the  vilest,  and  in  its  action  gross- 
ness  will  drop  away  until  the  man  is  fit  to 
commune  in  unity  with  the  God  within. 

"  Ye  are  Gods  "  is  not  fanciful.  Ye 
are.  The  man  of  Bethlehem  had  such 
unity  and  recognized  that  we  were  all 


Into  the  Light.  13 

capable  of  his  development.  He  said  we 
might  do  the  things  he  did,  were  joint 
heirs  with  him  in  the  kingdom,  were  his 
brothers,  were  gods,  yet  those  who  do  not 
understand,  and  will  not  understand, 
clothed  him  with  a  divinity  which  they  de- 
nied to  us. 

Thus  men  for  ages  have  been  kept  from 
their  birthright. 

He  talked  from  the  beginning  of  his 
ministry  to  the  last  lesson  before  the  cross 
of  his  great  peace.  It  was  in  that  peace 
he  found  his  power.  "  My  peace  be  unto 
you,"  was  his  choicest  blessing.  That 
peace  is  as  ready  to  enter  your  mind  as  it 
was  to  enter  his.  No  belief  in  the  trinity, 
in  sonship,  or  in  the  inspiration  of  the  bible 
is  necessary. 

All  scientists,  all  philosophers,  all  in- 
ventors are  the  product  of  the  mood  of 

Science  does  not  conflict  with  the  teachings  of 
Jesus.  The  conflicts  are  between  the  facts  science 
has  taught  and  the  false  theology  of  a  benighted 
and  ignorant  age. 


14  Into  the  Light. 

peace.  Buddha,  Leo  Tsa,  Zoroaster,  and 
Jesus,  each  promulgated  similar  ideas  at 
different  ages.  Each  was  unknown  to  the 
other.  There  must  have  been  an  instruc- 
tor; but  who  could  teach  what  no  man 
knew? 

They  received  their  insight  by  finding 
peace  and  thereby  communion  with  infin- 
ity. 

Solitude,  introspection,  reflection,  and 
the  yearning  of  the  soul  bring  peace  to  the 
mind.  Then  the  spirit  of  wisdom  enters. 
Thus  men  become  inspired:  become  sons 
of  God :  'tis  the  image  of  God  in  which  we 
are  built,  this  power  to  adjust  ourselves 
to  his  mood.  We  live  in  a  spirit  world 
which  speaks  a  language  without  the  aid  of 
sounds,  and  every  height  to  which  we  climb 
shows  grander  heights  beyond. 

Religious  conceptions  are  determined 
by  the  condition  of  our  minds.  There  is 
but  one  method  of  enlarging  the  scope :  we 
must  grow  into  the  kingdom.  Through 
the  wisdom  thus  found  we  discover  a  new 


Into  the  Light.  15 

world — the  world  of  mind — unfolding  like 
a  panoramic  view  of  paradise  before  us; 
and  we  build  a  temple  to  ourselves — a  tem- 
ple not  made  with  hands — the  temple  of 
righteousness  and  individualism.  As  the 
wonders  of  this  new  world  unfold  we  wan- 
der farther  and  farther  along  its  winding 
paths,  each  peculiar  to  itself,  and  untangle 
from  its  varied  bewilderments  the  skein  of 
life's  mysteries. 

We  reach  the  limit  of  our  courage  and, 
knowing  our  journey  must  end,  seek  more 
courage  that  we  may  journey  on.  We 
feel  the  loss  from  our  restless,  scattered 
thought  and  concentrate  to  conserve  our 
energy.  Mind  becomes  a  text  in  which 
we  read  our  deficiencies.  If  unreasonable 
we  build  up  justice;  if  cruel  we  seek  kind- 
ness. The  whole  desire  is  to  recreate  a  bal- 
anced man — a  righteous  man — and  live 
in  heaven.  We  hitch  our  attributes  to  the 
attributes  of  Deity  and  become  godlike. 
The  jumble  of  tumultuous  thought  is 
trained  into  an  orderly  trend  and  gives  us 


16  Into  the  Light. 

cosmos  out  of  chaos.  The  impulse  of 
emotion,  which  has  been  the  guide,  is 
brought  into  subjection  and  we  become 
rational.  Ambition  for  self — for  riches, 
and  power,  and  show — loses  its  attrac- 
tion; while  aspiration  for  deeper  knowl- 
edge supercedes  it.  We  are  as  happy  in 
the  cottage  as  in  the  mansion — have  lost 
ourselves  and  in  the  losing  found  the  king- 
dom of  God. 

Then  comes  an  inflow  of  the  spirit,  vita- 
lizing, strengthening,  ennobling,  healing 
the  physical  infirmities ;  and  the  soul  sings 
with  the  once  blind  man,  "  This  I  know, 
whereas  I  was  blind  now  I  can  see,"  then 
you  will  know  that  you  are  created  in  the 
image  of  God — are  a  son  of  God. 

We  are  capable  of  having,  every  attri- 
bute of  the  Infinite.  Love,  justice,  truth, 
energy,  confidence,  courage  or  determin- 
ation, may  be  brought  from  our  inner 
selves  and  fixed  in  mentality  forever. 
They  will  supercede  hate,  indolence,  lassi- 
tude, doubt,  fear,  and  indecision.  Then 


Into  the  Light.  17 

the  radiations  from  Infinite  mind  will  fill 
our  souls  with  wonder  and  joy;  and  a  new 
life  be  lived  that  will  be  filled  with  beauti- 
ful thoughts ;  and  with  emotions  we  never 
knew  were  existent.  We  are  in  close  con- 
nection with  this  wondrous  power.  We 
are  Gods. 

Such  a  man  can  speak  in  a  voice  that 
would  stop  the  world  but,  knowing  mind, 
realizes  that  the  words  would  fall  upon 
solid  rock,  and  does  not.  The  songs  of 
life  are  in  his  ear  and  the  melody  of  his 
soul  forever  sings  the  tunes  of  wisdom  and 
of  love. 

Peaceful,  wise  and  silent,  he  passes 
among  other  men  as  one  of  them;  but 
with  a  different  goal  in  view,  he  guides  his 
steps  along. 

When  Kings  are  crowned  in  pageant 
grand,  heedless  he  looks  on ;  then  seeks  the 
thing  that  he  may  do  to  help  his  fellow- 
men. 

In  his  solitude,  alone  with  Him  who 
rules,  he  bends  his  heart  in  humbleness 


18  Into  the  Light. 

and  listens  for  the  inner  voice  to  teach  him 
once  again ;  for  in  his  hand  he  holds  a  key 
to  unlock  the  realm  of  mystery.  A  still- 
ness comes,  pulsations  of  the  Spirit  Love 
invest  his  soul.  Friends  come  to  visit  him 
whose  language  his  emotions  throb,  and 
each  needs  to  but  think  the  thought  to  pass 
the  thought  along. 

The  mountains  and  the  rills,  and  every 
tree  and  bush  acknowledge  him  as  a 
friend ;  as  one  of  all. 

Wordsworth  knew  when  he  wrote: 

"One  impulse  from  the  vernal  wood 

Can  teach  you  more  of  man, 
Of  moral  evil  and  of  good 
Than  all  the  sages  can." 

The  best  illustration  of  how  thoroughly 
the  mood  of  peace  lifts  one  above  anxiety 
and  ambition  is  expressed  in  John  Bur- 
roughs' immortal  poem,  "  Waiting." 

Serene,  I  fold  my  hands  and  wait, 
Nor  care  for  wind,  nor  tide,  nor  sea. 

I  strive  no  more  against  time  or  fate 
For  lo,  my  own  shall  come  to  me. 


Into  the  Light.  19 

I  stay  my  haste.     I  make  delays 
For  what  avails  this  eager  pace? 

I  stand  amid  the  eternal  ways 

And  what  is  mine  shall  know  my  face. 

Asleep.    Awake.     By  night  or  day, 
The  friends  I  seek  are  seeking  me. 

No  wind  can  drive  my  bark  astray 
Nor  change  the  tide  of  destiny. 

What  matter  if  I  stand  alone, 
I  wait  with  joy  the  coming  years. 

My  heart  shall  reap  where  it  has  sown 
And  garner  up  its  fruit  of  tears. 

The  waters  know  their  own,  and  draw 

The  brook  that  springs  from  yonder  height. 

So  flows  the  good  with  equal  law 
Unto  the  soul  of  pure  delight. 

The  stars  come  nightly  to  the  sky; 

The  tidal  wave  unto  the  sea. 
Nor  time,  nor  space,  nor  deep,  nor  high 

Can  take  my  own  away  from  me. 


Do  not  suppose  Mr.  Burroughs  was 
either  an  idle  dreamer  or  a  theorist.    He 


20  Into  the  Light. 

was,  and  is,  one  of  our  greatest  natural- 
ists.   A  vigorous,  wide  awake  doer. 

The  mood  of  peace  does  not  imply  in- 
action. 

If  you  move  from  one  country  to  another  the 
nature  does  not  change.  Your  merits  and  faults 
go  with  you.  So,  also,  do  they  when  you  pass 
out  of  this  life.  If  you  would  enjoy  heaven  grow 
into  that  mind  now. 


ETERNITY  IS  NOW 

UNWORTHY  people  who  do  not  under- 
stand the  laws  of  life  and  live  in  a  state 
of  mere  existence,  usually  suffering  from 
ill  health,  often  console  themselves  with 
the  idea  that  when  they  pass  out  of  this 
life  a  great  change  will  be  effected  with- 
out volition  on  their  part. 

They  believe  all  good  things  will  come 
to  them  and  that  an  eternity,  which  be- 
gins then,  will  hold  only  joy  and  idleness. 

They  are  doomed  to  disappointment. 
There  are  no  sudden  transitions  in  nature 
nor  can  there  be  sudden  transitions  in 
spirit  law.  Improvement,  to  be  constant, 
must  be  a  gradual  awakening  and  a  grad- 
ual growth.  There  may  be  a  terrific 
effort  which  will  produce  results  but  re- 
trogression follows. 

Eternity  is  now.  The  God  in  man  is 
21 


22  Into  the  Light. 

ready  to  develop  each  mind  into  a  force 
and  wisdom  that  will  bring  intense  inter- 
est in  the  unfolding  of  the  man  and  heal 
the  body. 

We  are  in  the  midst  of  eternity  now 
and  must  begin  to  grow  by  finding  the 
God  within,  unifying  the  consciousness 
therewith  and  thus  grow  into  health  and 
strength. 

If  not  done  now  it  must  be  done  at 
some  later  time,  either  in  this  life  or  in 
the  life  to  come.  No  one  will  ever  escape 
it.  There  is  no  "  faith  "  road  to  heaven 
any  more  than  there  is  a  "  royal  "  road  to 
learning. 

"  Take,  therefore,  no  thought  for  the 
morrow:  for  the  morrow  shall  take  thought 
for  the  things  of  itself.  Sufficient  unto  the 
day  is  the  evil  thereof."  Forget  a  Judg- 
ment Day — live  in  the  now.  Find  the 
God  within  and  grow. 

Oh,  ye  blind  preachers !  Will  ye  never 
see?  Awake  from  your  lethargy,  from 
your  sureness  of  a  scheme  of  salvation 


Into  the  Light.  23 

and  get  into  touch  with  the  things  that 
be,  into  the  light  of  the  life  that  burns  for 
your  guidance. 

Now  is  the  only  time.  The  past  was; 
the  present  is ;  the  future  will  never  be. 

Be  right  at  the  present  instant  and  you 
will  be  right  forever,  because  there  is  no 
other  time.  This  instant  lives  forever. 

If  you  set  out  upon  a  walk  to  some  dis- 
tant point  and  your  attention  is  upon  the 
destination  the  step  becomes  hurried,  un- 
certain, and  the  body  tires. 

Keep  the  mind  with  you  and  the  step 
is  vigorous,  the  body  enjoys  the  exercise. 

So  with  living  in  a  hope  of  heaven  later. 
The  mind  tires  and  the  soul  wearies,  thus 
losing  strength  and  growth.  It  brings 
retrogression;  when  living  in  the  now 
would  bring  progression. 

"  All,  therefore,  whatsoever  they  bid 
you  observe,  that  observe  and  do;  but 
do  not  ye  after  their  works :  for  they  say, 
and  do  not."  It  is  not  worth  while  to 
"  stick  up  "  for  this  religion.  Enter  into 


24  Into  the  Light. 

no  controversies  but  find  your  God  and 
do.  Our  God  is  not  a  jealous  God.  He  is 
ready  to  help,  if  help  is  desired;  and  re- 
quires no  sacrifice.  He  only  asks  that  you 
concentrate  on  the  now — the  to-day;  that 
you  live  in  the  instant  with  your  better 
self.  Live,  and  love,  and  laugh,  and  be 
led  into  communion.  Yea,  verily,  again 
I  say  unto  you:  if  you  are  kind  and  con- 
siderate, just  and  true,  at  this  instant  you 
will  be  so  through  all  eternity ;  for  we  are 
living  in  eternity  now.  Forget  not  that 
the  present  is  eternity :  that  this  instant  is 
the  only  time. 

I  would  not,  if  I  could,  tear  from  the 
heart  the  idol  there  enthroned:  would  not 
take  from  any  one  those  things  a  loving 
mother  taught  as  reverently,  at  eventide, 
they  bowed  before  her  on  bended  knee. 
But  I  would  teach  to  men  the  soul  of 
truth  and  lead  them  close  to  God. 

I  deem  there  is  a  center  where, 
The  radiations,  light  as  air, 


Into  the  Light.  25 

Of  joy  and  love,  of  rest  and  peace, 
In  constant  flow,  and  ne'er  to  cease, 
As  steady  as  the  ocean's  roar, 
Comes  unto  men  forevermore. 

Now  if  such  thought  be  sound  and  true, 
And  God  thus  speaks  to  I  and  you, 
Is  not  this  world  a  place  where  we 
The  power  of  Love  may  feel  and  see, 
And  feeling,  seeing,  knowing  all, 
Attune  our  hearts  to  heed  the  call? 

Inspiration  is  an  attribute  of  mentality. 
It  has  been  said  that  Jesus  was  inspired. 
He  was,  and  so  also  was  every  great  and 
unselfish  man  that  ever  lived.  Gotama 
Sakyasinha,  Zoroaster,  Leo  Tsa,  Socrates, 
Plato,  Paine,  Lincoln  were  all  inspired. 

All  our  strength  to  do,  all  our  plans, 
all  our  thoughts  are  from  the  source  of 
strength. 

The  degree  of  inspiration  depends  upon 
the  condition  of  the  mind  and  the  amount 
of  courage  in  the  soul. 

If  the  mind  is  turbulent,  vindictive,  and 
selfish  these  attributes  bar  the  inflow  of 


26  Into  the  Light. 

spirit.  If  peaceful,  concentrative,  and  as- 
piring, such  mood  invites  the  spirit.  If 
cowardly,  the  soul  shrinks  when  the  spirit 
comes  and  the  shrinking  closes  the  door 
again. 

The  Power  above  loves  the  man  who 
will  listen  without  fear,  then  do;  and  will 
express  himself  through  the  man. 

But  because  of  the  conformity  of  our 
minds  to  the  business  and  pleasure  of  this 
life,  and  because  of  the  false  understand- 
ing created  by  a  foolish  interpretation  of 
the  Nazarene's  thought  we  do  not  know 
that  we  are  capable  of  receiving  radiations 
from  the  creative  principle. 

Nor  can  we  until  we  are  born  again. 
Not  literally  born,  but  all  the  passions, 
prejudices,  and  beliefs  obliterated;  re- 
turning to  the  condition  of  the  child-mind. 
Seeking,  wondering,  asking,  with  no  pre- 
conceived ideas  to  influence.  Determined 
and  willing  to  know  the  truth  even  if  all 
our  present  conception  of  religion,  soci- 
ology, and  ethics  is  obliterated. 


Into  the  Light.  27 

If  you  are  taught  something  that  con- 
flicts with  the  lessons  of  childhood  the 
mind  instantly  rebels  and  refuses  to  be- 
lieve. It  does  this  in  intense  natures 
whether  the  newer  idea  be  by  inspiration 
direct  from  God,  or  from  God  through 
some  man  who  is  in  communion  with  Him. 

The  child-mind  is  a  trusting  mind.  It 
believes  as  taught,  "  for  my  mama  told 
me  so."  It  will  believe  anything  taught. 
A  father  told  his  little  girl  no  Santa  Claus 
had  ever  lived.  She  turned  to  the  mother 
to  prove  such  a  personage  did  live.  The 
mother,  not  being  willing  to  take  from  the 
baby  the  pleasure  the  fable  brought,  gave 
assurance  that  there  really  was  such  a 
being.  The  child  turned  to  the  father, 
'  There,"  she  said,  "  I  knew  there  was  a 
Santa  Claus."  Even  the  father  could  not 
convince  the  child  of  the  truth  when 
mother  taught  the  falsehood. 

The  mother  takes  the  child  to  church — 
it  becomes  accustomed  to  attending  that 
church — every  incident  becomes  a  sugges- 


28  Into  the  Light. 

tion ;  a  couplet  on  the  slate.  Thus  impres- 
sions are  formed.  Next  the  mother 
teaches  that  her  religion  is  the  only  true 
religion.  All  mothers  do  this.  All  ages 
do  this.  The  Brahman,  the  Buddhist,  the 
Jew,  the  Confucian,  the  Mohammedan, 
the  Catholic,  the  Protestant,  one  and  all. 
They  always  will  because  it  is  a  tendency 
of  mind  to  stubbornly  insist  upon  the  cor- 
rectness of  its  position  upon  all  matters; 
especially  upon  supposititious  matters  re- 
quiring faith.  This  religion  clings  for- 
ever to  the  child  unless  scientific  education 
is  obtained.  Then  the  child  will  renounce 
that  faith.  But  they  do  not  renounce  the 
moral  law,  nor  the  religious  instinct. 
Neither  would  they  renounce  the  doctrine 
of  the  Nazarene  if  it  was  correctly  inter- 
preted. We  know  Santa  Claus  is  a  chi- 
mera and  theology  false;  but  we  can 
scarcety  convince  the  child  of  the  one,  nor 
the  sectarian  of  the  other. 

It  has  ever  been  so.    The  faith  of  the 


Into  the  Light.  29 

mothers  is  a  fixed  institution.  Its  truth  or 
falsity  does  not  enter  into  the  matter. 

To  be  born  again  means  to  remove  these 
ideas  and  be  capable  of  believing  the  truth 
when  it  comes.  To  be  willing  and  able  to 
say,  I  want  to  know  the  truth  without  re- 
gard to  consequences. 

Thus  one  is  born  again,  and  childlike 
seeks  to  know.  "  Seek  and  ye  shall  find." 
"  Knock  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you  " 
means  to  arrive  at  this  point  where  it  is 
possible  to  receive  inspiration. 

With  this  desire  to  know  comes  from 
somewhere  the  desire  to  be  quiet.  That  is 
your  first  inspired  thought.  Yield  unto 
it  and  be  led.  Seek  seclusion  and  waiting, 
listen,  without  straining  or  haste.  Peace 
is  about  to  come  unto  you  and  with  peace 
will  come  the  wisdom  to  lead  you  along 
forever,  growing  as  you  grow. 

It  will  guide  you  in  business  as  well  as 
in  religion  and  lead  you  to  the  God  within 
yourself.  It  is  a  comprehension  that 
makes  things  clear  which  other  men  do 


30  Into  the  Light. 

not  understand.  It  gives  an  insight  into 
esoteric  things.  Men  and  motives  become 
an  open  book,  when  one  is  brought  into 
harmony  with  the  soul  of  things  that  be. 
It  is  wonderfully  effective — this  mental 
attitude.  If  you  make  a  habit  of  with- 
drawing to  a  room  and  there  give  yourself 
up  to  silent  meditation  and  desire,  the 
room  will  become  impregnated  with  an 
atmosphere  of  peace  which  can  be  felt  as 
soon  as  entered.  It  will  be  a  haven  of  rest 
when  turmoil  besets  the  spirit.  Solitude 
removes  the  thought  element  which  is 
around  and  stops  the  disturbing  effects. 
Once  the  unity  is  felt  the  soul  craves  its 
continuation ;  the  blind  eyes  are  opened  to 
see  the  beauty  of  the  new  world  and  noth- 
ing can  ever  take  it  away. 

The  effect  is  magical.  Face,  form,  and 
actions  adjust  themselves  to  the  new  con- 
ditions and  life  is  lived  upon  a  higher 
plane.  The  world,  whose  homage  was  re- 
nounced, stands  before  you  with  bared 
head  and  humble  mien;  you  became  the 


Into  the  Light.  31 

least  among  men  and  found  yourself  the 
greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  righteousness. 
Your  thought  goes  out  and  away  to  sim- 
ilar minds  and  the  union  creates  a  tremen- 
dous force  to  work  for  the  uplifting  of 
mankind.  The  vibrations  of  the  spirit 
steal  upon  you  and  your  spirit  merges  with 
it.  There  is  song,  and  joy,  and  content- 
ment, in  the  soul. 

Such  is  the  most  attractive  attitude  of 
mind.  Once  reached,  no  book  nor  man  is 
required  to  guide  you,  for  you  are  inspired 
of  God.  The  nobler  we  become  the  higher 
become  our  aims  and  the  brighter  becomes 
the  light  of  destiny. 

The  kingdom  of  heaven  has  been  found 
and  you  are  living  in  it. 

The  Nazarene  said: — "  The  kingdom  of 
heaven  cometh  not  with  observation,"  and 
neither  shall  they  say,  "  Lo  here !  or,  lo 
there;  for  behold  the  kingdom  of  God  is 
within  you." 

In  other  words  we  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom and  point  it  out ;  or  place  it  above  the 


32  Into  the  Light. 

world  because  it  is  not  a  place.  He  defi- 
nitely says  it  is  within  you,  a  condition 
that  permits  the  inflow  of  divine  wisdom 
and  divine  love.  To  seek  the  kingdom 
means  to  earnestly  desire  a  condition 
which  will  permit  the  inflow  of  divine 
thought.  That  condition  in  itself  is 
prayer — not  saying  prayers.  It  is  the 
kind  of  prayer  meant  by  praying  cease- 
lessly. If,  all  blinded  by  superstition  and 
fear,  you  feel  the  whispering  of  truth  with- 
in you,  group  ye  up  and  on.  The  sun- 
shine of  inspiration  will  drive  the  clouds 
away  and  be  a  guiding  light  to  beckon  you 
on. 

When  you  set  out  on  the  way  to  the  goal, 

The  darkness  of  doubt  will  o'ershadow  the  soul, 

And  hope,  through  the  gloom,  be  the  one  misty  light 

To  beckon  you  on  through  the  shadows  of  night. 

But  courage  will  come,  with  Infinite  love, 

To  strengthen  the  soul  with  strength  from  above; 

And  in  the  sweet  peace  of  a  treasure  so  dear 

You  feel  the  end  of  the  journey  is  near. 

Had  science  been  so  far  advanced  when  our  theology 
was  formed  as  it  now  is,  the  idea  of  a  place  clalled 
heaven  would  never  have  been  promulgated. 


Into  the  Light.  33 

There  need  be  no  fear  in  thus  seeking 
direct  communication  with  the  Infinite. 
It  is  your  birthright  by  His  command  and 
desire.  "  Ask  and  it  shall  be  given  to 

you." 

God  is  not  some  dreadful  being  before 
whom  we  must  tremble.  It  is  of  us  a  part 
and  the  law  of  all. 

If  we  do  those  things  which  are  not  best 
for  us  it  does  not  injure  the  Supreme  nor 
draw  down  His  wrath  upon  us. 

He  wants  us  to  receive  His  spirit  be- 
cause it  will  give  happiness  beyond  any 
other  happiness,  and  produce  a  growth 
towards  the  ultimate  which  is  to  be. 

If  we  prefer  to  live  from  our  own  men- 
tality there  is  no  dire  punishment  inflicted. 
You  only  lose  the  happiness  which  might 
be  yours. 

Seeking  the  spirit  does  not  infer  the 
leaving  of  an  active  life  to  seclude  one's 
self  in  a  monastery.  That  is  not  desired. 
Neither  is  a  holier  than  thou  attitude.  A 
man  passes  our  home  daily  who  is  theology 


34  Into  the  Light. 

personified.  He  has  conceived  the  idea 
that  a  stiff  carriage,  a  grave  countenance 
and  a  long  stride  constitute  Christianity 
and  acts  the  part.  The  man  is  a  fool. 

One  does  not  desire  to  shout  from  the 
housetops  that  he  is  sanctified,  but  rather 
keeps  his  knowledge  to  himself  excepting 
for  those  who  seek. 

Friends  notice  the  change  and  wonder 
why  he  has  become  so  kind,  and  even-tem- 
pered; where  he  found  the  wisdom  that 
made  him  so  able  to  grasp  his  business 
problems. 

A  great  change  comes  over  desires. 
Low-minded  companions  are  not  con- 
genial. Society  is  replaced  by  the  quiet 
comradeship  of  a  chosen  few.  Hurry, 
and  flurry,  and  worry  were  somewhere  lost 
in  the  transition,  while  confidence  to  at- 
tract what  one  needs  has  taken  their  place. 

Somewhere  the  realization  has  come 
that  prayer  is  earnest  desire  and  that  all 
wisdom  to  plan,  and  energy  to  execute  are 
furnished  the  man  and  that  verbal  requests 


Into  the  Light.  35 

for  specific  gifts  of  money  are  not  an- 
swered. 

The  outlook  upon  life  has  undergone  a 
great  change.  Prudery,  pompousness, 
and  an  air  of  sanctimony  with  its  accom- 
panying vacuity  is  never  found  in  such 
men. 

Would  you  have  prosperity,  honor,  and 
health  ?  Then  seek  ye  the  God  within  and 
create  a  heaven  in  your  soul,  for  in  such 
seeking  has  been  found  the  way  to  keep 
the  mind  clear  and  the  acts  pure. 

"  Blessed  are  they  who  do  hunger  and 
thirst  after  righteousness  for  they  shall  be 
filled."  

In  the  silence  of  my  chamber 
With  my  heart  attuned  to  God; 
Off  the  path  of  strife  and  anguish 
"Which  my  feet  have  always  trod; 
Yearning  not  for  boon  companions, 
Welcoming  the  friends  that  stay, 
Oft  I  watch  the  gaudy  pageant 
Hurrying,  jostling  on  its  way. 

Life  is  an  evolution — nothing  is  per- 
manent but  change. 


THINKING  AND  THOUGHT  AC- 
TION 

THE  brain  is  the  part  of  the  body 
through  which  mind  acts  upon  the  body, 
and  what  we  have  heretofore  termed  the 
subconsciousness  is  but  the  storehouse  of 
the  mind. 

The  body  acts  upon  the  mind.  If  it  is 
in  pain  the  mind  cannot  center  upon  a 
thought.  If  it  is  over  lusty  and  full  of 
power  the  mind  is  vigorous,  but  not  nec- 
essarily of  deep  insight. 

If  the  body  is  full  of  passion  the  mind 
can  scarcely  free  itself  of  amorous 
thought,  and  if  it  thinks  along  such  lines 
the  bodily  lust  is  increased. 

Ordinarily  the  body  intrudes  its  pres- 
ence upon  the  mind.  We  think  of  our- 
selves as  the  body.  In  the  grossly  material 
the  body  is  the  big  thing,  the  me. 

In  those  who  are  working  to  spiritualize 

36 


Into  the  Light.  37 

themselves  there  is  a  constant  conflict  be- 
tween the  resistance  of  the  body  to  the  as- 
sertion of  the  supremacy  of  mind. 

At  times  the  body  predominates  and 
the  mind  becomes  discouraged,  then  a  re- 
action comes  and  the  mind  reasserts  itself. 
These  constant  conflicts  invariably  result 
in  the  complete  supremacy  of  mind. 

When  one  reaches  the  point  where  the 
mind  is  in  close  companionship  with  the 
Infinite  the  body  fades  from  conscious- 
ness and,  when  the  attention  is  attracted 
to  it,  seems  as  though  it  was  some  pigmy 
whose  lusts  and  passions  were  almost  im- 
perceptible, and  make  no  impress  upon 
the  mind. 

Thus  is  self  control  eventually  gained. 

Thoughts  stand  in  a  relation  to  mind 
something  similar  to  the  relation  of  mind 
to  body.  In  the  first  place  the  qualities  of 
mind  determine  the  character  of  the 
thought.  A  clean  mind  will  think  noble 
thoughts;  a  strong  mind  think  forceful 
thoughts.  Base  thoughts  will  be  repug- 


38  Into  the  Light. 

nant  to  a  noble  mind.  Such  mind  attracts 
clean  thought  and  repels  base  thought. 
If  a  vile  mind  the  thought  is  reversed. 

When  a  thought  passes  through  a  mind 
it  leaves  a  permanent  impress.  If  vigor- 
ous, the  mind  is  left  stronger.  If  lewd,  the 
mind  is  weakened. 

The  force  of  the  mind  determines  the 
vigor  of  the  thought. 

Clean,  vigorous  thought  elevates  the 
race,  because  other  minds  feel  its  effect 
and  are  benefited. 

Thoughts  are  as  real  as  electricity  and 
are  capable  of  projection  to  any  distance. 

Telepathy  is  so  well  recognized  that  a 
man  who  scoffs  at  the  idea  is  only  expos- 
ing his  ignorance.  Its  recognition  is 
world-wide.  Science  itself  is  on  the  brink 
of  accepting.  Mind  and  thought  are  both 
magnetic.  In  response  to  the  law  of  at- 
traction similar  minds  attract  each  other; 
and  in  turn  attract,  and  are  attracted  by, 
similar  thought. 

A  clean,  successful  man  in  a  strange  city 


Into  the  Light.  39 

would  never  form  friendships  among  vile 
loafers.  The  association  would  not  be 
congenial. 

If,  then,  one  desires  a  better  class  of  as- 
sociates he  should  improve  the  mind  by 
thinking  a  better  class  of  thought,  when 
natural  gravitation  will  bring  them. 

The  mind  can  control  the  class  of 
thought  by  refusing  to  think  of  anything 
harmful. 

If  the  mind  is  subject  to  moods  of  de- 
spondency and  fits  of  anger  it  may  reject 
the  mood  by  thinking  of  some  successful 
period  in  life  or  by  magnifying  some  small 
success  and  dwelling  upon  it  until  the 
mood  has  passed.  Anger  may  be  con- 
trolled by  watching  for  its  manifestation 
and  sternly  rejecting  the  thought. 

The  better  way  is  to  get  into  unity  with 
the  Spirit  and  the  desire  will  vanish. 

"  As  a  man  thinketh  in  his  heart  so  is 
he,"  meant  the  mind  was  the  product  of 
the  action  of  such  thoughts  as  had  passed 
through  it. 


40  Into  the  Light. 

Thought  is  of  two  kinds.  The  one 
seems  to  be  generated  by  ourselves  from 
past  experiences  and  pertain  to  affairs  of 
everyday  life  as  we  engage  in  our  voca- 
tions, or  as  they  are  suggested  by  sight, 
hearing,  associates  or  associations,  i.  e., 
environments. 

Standing  before  a  painting  I  was  ad- 
miring the  graceful  lines  and  masterly 
rendering  of  the  young  bathers  when  my 
companion  asked,  "  What  do  you  suppose 
it  is  worth? "  which  illustrates  how  the 
same  environment  affects  dissimilar  minds. 

I  was  artistic  and  fed  my  spirit  upon 
the  skill  of  the  master  and  the  beauty  of 
the  girls'  forms.  He  was  a  keen  business 
man  whose  first  desire  was  a  knowledge  of 
values.  Thus  desire  regulates  the  kind  of 
thought. 

The  thought  we  generate  is  not  of  great 
value. 

The  other  kind  of  thought  bolts  into  a 
mind  like  a  flash  during  the  inventive 


Into  the  Light.  41 

mood,  or  the  period  of  concentrative  quiet, 
and  leaves  a  lasting  effect  for  good. 

These  thoughts  are  beyond  the  recipi- 
ent's range  of  experience.  From  whence 
then  do  they  come? 

Some  of  the  thoughts  contained  within 
the  covers  of  this  book  are  beyond  logic  or 
deduction.  No  one  ever  told  them  to  me. 
So  far  as  I  know  no  one  knows  some  of 
them.  Where  then  did  I  get  them? 

When  first  the  thought  came  that  in- 
spiration was  common  to  mankind  and 
that  every  one  was  constantly  in  touch 
with  God  through  mind  it  frightened  me. 

It  seemed  like  blasphemy  to  my  Meth- 
odist mind.  Especially  since  it  revealed 
the  source  of  power  of  Jesus,  and  by  de- 
duction made  Him  as  one  of  us.  Having 
been  taught  to  look  upon  Him  as  a  begot- 
ten Son  of  God  and  upon  myself  as  a  sin- 
ful worm,  the  shock  upset  me  and  I  re- 
fused to  go  on  in  such  a  line  of  thought, 
fearing  it  was  some  trick  of  Satan  to  snare 
my  soul. 


42  Into  the  Light. 

But  when  in  the  silence  of  meditation, 
peace  and  gladness  came  and  the  still 
voice  of  the  comforter  bade  me  be  not 
afraid,  my  courage  grew  and  my  shrink- 
ing self  grew  bolder. 

The  confirming  thoughts  and  under- 
standing came  from  time  to  time,  and  with 
it  a  thankfulness  that  I  could  be  of  as- 
sistance in  freeing  my  fellows  from  super- 
stition and  from  fear. 

Thought  comes  in  accordance  with  the 
mood.  If  concentrative,  deeply  calm,  and 
aspiring  one  is  visited  by  divine  thought, 
which  strengthens  the  mind,  heals  the 
body,  and  brings  wisdom  to  properly  con- 
duct our  worldly  affairs. 

Business  success  is  a  natural  attribute 
of  such  a  man.  Others  feel  his  solidity 
and  honor  him.  "  Seek  ye  first  the  king- 
dom of  righteousness  and  all  these  things 
shall  be  added  to  you."  It  is  the  frame  of 
mind  which  Lincoln  carried  and  it  swept 
over  the  country  with  an  impress  of  confi- 
dence and  respect  that  survives  to  this 
day. 


Into  the  Light.  43 

It  is  the  mood  which  brought  Jesus  into 
touch  with  the  Infinite  and  furnished  the 
power  to  heal  and  the  wisdom  to  teach. 
It  opened  his  spiritual  sight  with  which 
he  could  see  what  was  hidden  from  others. 
It  does  not  imply  inertia  nor  seclusion  but 
is  effervescent,  takes  an  interest  in  gov- 
ernment, in  sociology,  in  liberty  and  per- 
petuates truth  and  justice. 

In  business  life  one  meets  a  banker  who 
has  such  a  mood  to  some  degree  and  a  feel- 
ing of  confidence  in  him  causes  us  to  de- 
posit our  money  in  his  bank.  A  merchant 
attracts  our  trade  by  his  mental  attitude. 

When  in  doubt  about  what  to  do  con- 
cerning a  business  venture,  get  into  such 
mood,  and  a  definite  knowledge  of  how  to 
act  will  come.  This  mood  is  your  birth- 
right, and  by  it  you  learn  to  trust  in  your 
own  self — you  become  self-reliant.  No 
one  need  advise  you,  because  your  thought 
is  directly  from  God,  and  no  preacher  is 
needed  to  save  you,  because  you  are  daily 
growing  into  deeper  communion  with  the 


44  Into  the  Light. 

spiritual  and  have  saved  yourself.  You 
are  one  of  the  very  elect. 

The  whole  aspect  of  life  changes.  Tri- 
fles do  not  annoy  you,  nor  theology  inter- 
est you.  Jealousy,  and  vanity,  and  ambi- 
tion are  foreign  to  you.  Sober,  kindly, 
honest,  useful,  and  industrious,  respected 
by  associates,  you  live  a  noble  life,  which  is 
to  continue  throughout  eternity. 

The  opposite  to  such  mood  is  the  more 
common  one  of  ignorance  of  these  things 
and  an  ambition  to  grab  a  fortune,  ride  in 
a  better  vehicle  than  do  your  associates, 
attend  week-end  parties  and  give  balls  in 
our  country  villa.  To  assume  superiority 
because  one  belongs  to  our  set.  To  have 
no  aims  higher  than  personal  gratification. 
To  conform.  To  be  exclusive  and  snub, 
and  sneer,  and  hurt  our  fellows.  To  think 
one  is  so  grand,  but  in  reality  to  be  petty, 
malicious,  contemptible,  and  mean. 

This  action  of  the  base  emotions  de- 
grades mind.  Under  its  influence  friends 
and  property  glide  away.  Life  becomes 


Into  the  Light.  45 

uninteresting  and  almost  unbearable.  As 
one  sinks  lower  and  lower  poverty  comes, 
and  ill  health  and  misery. 

It  is  the  frame  of  mind  which  causes 
the  sons  of  rich  fathers  to  dissipate  the 
fortune.  Such  men  can  never  rebuild  a 
fortune  unless  the  action  of  the  thought  is 
changed  by  renewing  the  mind.  "  But 
rather  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing 
of  your  minds,"  means  to  loose  the  store- 
house of  your  mind  now  existent  and  re- 
build with  better  thought. 

Like  minds  attract  each  other. 

This  better  mood  is  the  kingdom  of 
God  which  is  to  be  sought  after  when  suc- 
cess in  business  will  come  to  you;  and  is 
the  attractive  frame  which  will  bring  it. 

Thought  is  the  force  which  builds  man 
into  a  type  and  determines  his  actions  and 
his  prosperity.  Sensual  thought  devel- 
ops a  sensual  man,  and  sensuality  is  writ- 
ten upon  his  countenance  by  the  hand  of 
God  so  plainly  that  he  who  runs  may  read. 
Nor  do  cries  of  Holy!  Holy!  deceive  us. 


46  Into  the  Light. 

Craft,  hypocrisy,  cruelty,  dishonesty 
and  maliciousness  may  be  read  on  the  in- 
dex thus  formed  and  warn  the  observer  to 
beware. 

The  man  has  become  malignant  by  his 
thought.  Clean,  vigorous  thinking  adds 
strength  to  the  personality,  and  the  face 
is  the  face  of  a  man  who  is  to  be  loved  and 
trusted.  He  has  been  made  beneficent  by 
his  thought. 

The  time  is  coming  when  thought  force 
will  be  used  to  prevent  wars  and  other 
crimes;  and  criminals,  both  great  and 
small,  will  be  treated  by  suggestion  to 
change  the  character  of  their  thought. 

Nor  is  that  the  all ;  a  vindictive  thought 
reaches  other  hateful  minds  and  the  whole 
mass  of  haters  send  back  a  great  concourse 
of  hate  to  fill  the  hater's  mind.  This  is 
living  in  hell.  Such  folks  constantly  be- 
come more  hateful  and  less  able  to  repel 
the  hating  thought;  carried  to  its  conclu- 
sion insanity  results,  and  the  man  for  a 
surety  is  possessed  by  a  devil. 


Into  the  Light.  47 

If  we  think  thoughts  of  good  will, 
kindness,  and  justice,  it  clears  our  minds 
for  deeper  thinking  and  brings  us  into 
touch  with  that  class  of  men.  It  becomes 
easier  to  think  thoughts  of  good  will  than 
to  think  thoughts  of  hate.  The  features 
glow  with  kindness  and  men  seek  us  for 
companions  and  friends.  A  carnal  per- 
son, by  changing  the  character  of  his 
thought,  can  become  spiritual ;  a  weakling, 
by  thinking  slowly  and  with  concentra- 
tion, can  store  up  energy  until  he  will  be- 
come strong. 

If  a  thought  of  hate  is  sent  to  another 
it  is  absolutely  certain  that  it  will  return 
to  weaken  the  mind  of  the  sender.  If  it 
be  sent  to  a  hater's  mind  it  will  be  rein- 
forced with  his  hate  and  come  back 
stronger  than  it  went  out.  If  sent  against 
the  mind  of  one  who  does  not  feel  hate 
it  will  not  hurt  him  and  be  returned  with- 
out increase.  '  Therefore  all  things  what- 
soever ye  would  that  men  should  do  unto 
you,  do  ye  even  so  unto  them." 


48  Into  the  Light. 

Thus  one  gets  what  he  sends.  Men  do 
to  him  what  he  does  to  them  through  the 
reaction  of  his  thought. 

By  controlling  the  thought,  the  mind 
becomes  poised,  resourceful;  the  body 
thrills  with  divine  life;  while  the  blood 
bounds  joyously  through  the  veins,  carry- 
ing health  and  strength. 

Advanced  thinkers,  inspired  by  the 
thoughts  such  condition  brings,  give  the 
world  new  ideas.  They  lift  the  recipient 
from  out  the  cloud  of  superstition  and 
fear  into  a  higher  and  a  fuller  life.  They 
establish  a  communion  between  the  man 
and  the  unknown;  produce  elasticity,  fer- 
vidness,  eloquence,  poetic  fancies,  wisdom, 
and  health. 

Your  belief  will  never  save  you.  Un- 
less you  study  thought  and  mind  and  the 
effect  the  one  has  upon  the  other  you  will 
never  renew  your  mind;  and  are  as  were 
those  men  who,  after  hearing  the  teach- 
ings of  Jesus,  could  not  understand. 
"  He  was  astonished  that  they  did  not 


Into  the  Light.  49 

comprehend,"  hut  I  am  not  astonished  be- 
cause I  have  grown  up  from  such  minds 
as  they  possessed. 

You  are  the  product  of  the  thoughts  you 
think. 

Your  thoughts  are  the  result  of  your 
heredity  and  environments.  They  can  be 
changed  by  the  renewing  of  your  minds. 

Minds  may  be  renewed  by  suggestion, 
imagination,  or  prayer. 

Thoughts  are  the  connecting  links  be- 
tween man  and  God. 

Thoughts  connect  men  on  the  same 
plane  of  mind  with  each  other. 

They  act  equally  upon  all  minds  of 
equal  power. 

If  your  mind  is  pure  your  thought  will 
be  pure. 

If  your  mind  is  vile  and  you  wish  to 
think  clean  thoughts  you  must  refuse  to 
allow  a  vile  thought  to  enter.  In  time  the 
better  thought  will  build  a  cleaner  mind 
and  the  kind  of  thought  will  take  care  of 
itself. 


50 


Into  the  Light. 


If  you  would  get  into  touch  with  the 
Infinite  and  be  prosperous  and  happy  you 
must  think  thoughts  of  peace  until  your 
mind  is  brought  to  the  condition  that 
Jesus  describes  as  the  peace  that  passes 
understanding. 

This  reconstruction  of  a  mind  is  not 
easy  but  it  can  be  done. 

Persist  and  doubts  will  vanish  as  wis- 
dom comes. 

The  somber  forest  which  appal  us  as  we  journey 
'neath  its  bowers, 

Only  have,  in  gloomy  shadows,  birds  of  song  and 
dew-tipped  flowers. 

Thus  in  traveling  on  Life's  journey,  when  some- 
times we  stop  in  fright, 

We  find  but  peace  and  concord  with  the  passing 
of  the  night. 


This  is  not  a  philosophy  of  negation.  It 
is  constructive.  Based  upon  what  will 
benefit  you — not  others.  Ambition  for 
selfish  aggrandisement  turns  every  man 


Into  the  Light.  51 

against  you.  Aspiration  unites  them  for 
you.  Their  thought  current  in  the  first 
case  puts  a  burden  upon  you,  in  the  second 
it  is  a  help. 


LAW  GOVERNS;  NOT  FIAT 

IN  the  infancy  of  our  age  every  thing 
not  understood  was  believed  to  have  been 
an  act  of  God. 

The  ancients  knew  naught  of  nebular 
hypothesis,  or  evolution,  and  in  their  igno- 
rance ascribed  the  making  of  the  world  to 
fiat,  and  man  was  made  from  clay. 

God  was  a  huge  being  who  talked  with 
men ;  bargained  with  them ;  and  fought  for 
them. 

Now  we  have  learned  that  law  controls 
our  every  act  and  carries  within  itself  the 
punishment  for  the  violation. 

We  see  a  star  hurtle  through  the  heav- 
ens and  know  it  is  establishing  an  equilib- 
rium in  the  constellation.  The  ancients 
thought  it  was  a  lost  soul  being  hurled 
into  hell. 

We  know  the  earth  turns  on  its  axis 
52 


Into  the  Light.  53 

once  every  twenty- four  hours;  that  it 
moves  in  its  orbit  completely  around  the 
sun  once  every  year  and  is  held  in  its  po- 
sition by  the  attraction  called  gravity; 
that  it  moves  in  obedience  to  natural  law. 
We  also  know  that  all  the  constellations 
move  in  obedience  to  these  laws. 

We  know  that  excess  in  eating,  drink- 
ing, playing  or  working  weakens  the  re- 
sistance of  our  bodies  to  disease  and  allows 
some  form  of  ill  health  to  injure  us. 

We  know  that  an  idle  mind  begets  folly 
and  becomes  restless,  worthless  and  weak; 
that  calmness,  concentration  and  temper- 
ate work  bring  peace  of  mind,  content- 
ment, and  strength.  We  know  these  re- 
sults are  not  restricted  to  a  particular  sec- 
tion but  are  universal  and  are,  therefore, 
natural  laws. 

These  things  are  not  dependent  upon 
faith,  nor  changed  by  theology. 

Evolution  has  supplanted  creation  by 
"  fiat."  Geography  has  shown  us  a  round 
world  instead  of  a  flat  one.  "  Signs  and 


54  Into  the  Light. 

wonders  "  are  now  the  "  Law  in  the  Heav- 
ens." History  shows  the  gradual  progress 
of  mankind  and  the  fallacy  of  the  "  Fall  of 
man."  "  The  Prince  of  the  power  of  air  " 
is  now  meteorology.  Magic  is  chemistry 
and  physics.  "  Possessed  by  the  devil  "  is 
now  insanity,  and  fetich  has  been  sup- 
planted by  hygiene.  Inspiration  of  the 
bible  is  everywhere  doubted  from  the  on- 
slaughts of  geology.  But  through  the 
backdown  of  theology,  "  Ye  are  Gods  " — 
"  Heaven  is  within  you,"  and  all  those 
vital  thoughts,  repeated  and  emphasized 
by  Jesus,  the  Nazarene,  has  been  as  true 
as  when  their  first  exponent  brought  them 
to  mankind. 

We  are  only  in  the  infancy  of  our  un- 
derstanding. In  time  to  come  everyone 
will  understand  and  be  benefited  by  the 
laws  that  govern. 

The  laws  which  control  this  universe, 
both  material  and  spiritual,  are  laws  for 
all  the  people  and  applicable  to  Christian 


Into  the  Light.  55 

and  Mohammedan,  Buddhist  and  Pagan 
alike.  No  sect  has  a  copyright  on  truth. 
It  is  universal;  and  God's  spirit,  or  the 
Spirit  of  God,  is  as  often  found  in  Bud- 
dhist as  in  Christian;  in  Pagan  as  in  Mo- 
hammedan. Mankind  is  alike  the  world 
over. 

Mankind  never  fell — we  are  not  born 
in  sin — but  we  are  steadily  advancing 
towards  unity  with  the  Creator  of  the 
laws.  The  mental  law  is  becoming  un- 
derstood and  thought  is  recognized  as  the 
active  agent. 

We  know  that  the  underlying  law  of 
psychic  understanding  with  the  attendant 
health,  happiness,  and  prosperity,  is  a 
mood  of  peace  of  which  insanity  is  the 
opposite. 

The  deeper  the  peace  the  greater  the 
wisdom,  energy,  and  reserve  force. 

The  more  harmonious  the  body  and 
mind  become,  the  stronger  resistance  has 
the  one  to  ill  health  and  the  farther  the 


56  Into  the  Light. 

other  can  follow  the  development  of  a 
thought. 

That  the  youth  is  the  product  of  the 
law  of  suggestion  through  past  genera- 
tions, both  of  environment  and  of  direct 
commands.  And,  farther,  that  these  same 
agencies  may  be  used  to  destroy  their  pro- 
duction and  recreate  a  new  man. 

We  have  at  last  arrived  at  a  realization 
that  the  imagination  is  a  creative  force 
greater  than  any  other  force  in  its  con- 
structive effect. 

The  law  of  attraction  is  seen  to  reach 
through  all  animal  kingdoms  and  by  the 
name  of  gravity  operates  in  the  material. 

When  a  mind  is  in  unity  with  the  Spirit 
in  man  it  brings  the  concord  we  call  inspi- 
ration by  this  very  law. 

Let  us  look  for  a  moment  at  the  oper- 
ation of  this  law.  It  is  a  direct  communi- 
cation from  the  Power  Supreme  and  re- 
quires no  intercessor.  Nor  will  it  operate 
in  any  way  but  by  direct  attraction. 
Trusting  upon  the  saving  power  of  Jesus 


Into  the  Light.  57 

produces  a  dependent  mind  and  cuts  off 
the  communication  with  God.  We  are  one 
with  God  and  cannot  accept  any  inter- 
ference. 

The  thought  of  being  one  with  God 
through  the  God  in  man  and  the  law  of 
attraction  exalts  us.  It  makes  for  self  re- 
liance, courage,  and  power.  Therefore, 
we  should  conform  to  naught  but  the  in- 
ner promptings. 

To  prepare  the  mind  for  the  operation 
of  this  law;  to  open  the  conduit  of  our 
souls;  we  must  remove  the  false  theology 
we  have  been  taught,  must  recreate  the 
child-mind,  free  from  prejudice. 

To  do  this  brings  into  play  other  laws. 
The  law  of  suggestion,  and  the  law  of  im- 
agination. Let  us  digress  for  a  moment 
to  examine  these  laws  even  though  we  al- 
ready know  them.  The  repetition  is  time 
well  spent. 

A  suggestion  is  anything  which  brings 
the  subject  to  the  attention.  You  see  a 
despondent  person  and  feel  such  despond- 


58  Into  the  Light. 

ency  even  if  nothing  is  said.  If  his  dismal 
croakings  are  listened  to  and  accepted  the 
effect  is  greater.  A  business  man  once 
said  to  me  concerning  a  dismal  old  croaker 
who  had  just  left  the  office:  "  Bruce,  that 
old  pessimist  makes  me  unfit  for  business 
every  time  he  comes  in  here.  I'm  no  ac- 
count for  the  rest  of  the  day  unless  my 
wife  drops  in  to  visit  me.  She  is  like  a 
tonic." 

Thus  he  told  me  two  things:  First,  he 
was  being  hindered  by  the  law  of  sugges- 
tion and  its  attendant  attraction  every 
time  the  visitor  came  and  that  his  wife  was 
the  psychic  strength  which  made  him  suc- 
cessful by  the  same  law. 

If  one  thinks,  "  I  can  grow  into  com- 
munication with  the  Supreme  through  the 
God  within,"  it  sets  in  motion  those  psy- 
chic forces  which  bring  it  about.  It  is  a 
suggestion. 

If  one  thinks,  "  I  will  be  successful,"  it 
does  the  very  same  thing. 

Determine,  then,  to  build  up  the  quality 


Into  the  Light.  59 

of  truth  within,  to  know  for  yourself  just 
what  is  true.  Not  whether  what  is  con- 
tained herein  is  true,  nor  whether  theology 
is  true,  but  to  know  the  truth  regardless  of 
what  it  is. 

Thus  doubts  and  fears  are  stilled  and 
the  soul  prepared  to  receive  the  inflow  of 
spirit. 

This  removal  of  the  doubts  and  fears 
bring  body,  mind,  and  the  Supreme  into 
touch  and  establishes  a  communion  which 
changes  the  entire  character  of  the  indi- 
vidual. 

Instead  of  deciding  questions  by  rea- 
son one  waits  and  allows  the  answer  to 
formulate  itself.  Nothing  excites  one. 
Rushing  about  is  lost  in  stable,  thoughtful, 
earnest,  and  low-voiced  courage  and  de- 
cision, which  produces  poise. 

This  poise  is  not  the  poise  of  the  trained 
mentality  which,  in  many  cases,  assumes 
superiority,  but  is,  instead,  humble  in  its 
own  consciousness  but  exalted  by  those 
with  whom  the  possessor  is  brought  into 


60  Into  the  Light. 

contact.  Every  one  with  perception  rec- 
ognizes the  power  and  reveres  the  man. 

Not  every  one  is  capable  of  a  quick  de- 
velopment into  this  poise. 

Some,  in  their  evolution,  have  not  yet 
reached  the  spiritual  plane.  These  can- 
not appreciate  these  things,  and  spiritual 
suggestions  make  no  impress. 

Others  are  deeply  spiritual  but  have 
never  found  the  way.  These  are  those, 
many  of  whom  are  called  but  few  chosen. 

Again  there  are  those  who,  hearing  the 
call,  are  so  immersed  in  the  mental  life 
there  is  no  response. 

Suggestions  appropriate  to  the  defect 
in  each  will  remove  these  impediments  to 
communion  with  God. 

Perhaps  the  greatest  of  the  lesser  aids 
to  life  success  lies  in  the  power  of  imagin- 
ation. Please  understand  that  once  the 
mood  of  peace,  the  highest  psychic  law,  is 
established  nothing  else  is  required.  But 
until  such  mood  may  be  developed,  sug- 
gestion and  imagination  and  desire  are 


Into  the  Light.  61 

necessary  both  to  bring  prosperity  and  to 
establish  the  mood  of  creative  reverie. 

To  develop  the  imagination  first  think 
of  some  familiar  scene  of  earliest  child- 
hood. The  earliest  vivid  recollection  is  the 
best.  Let  it  dwell  in  memory  until  the  im- 
pression becomes  distinct.  Enjoy  it  and 
examine  every  minute  detail  as  each  ap- 
pears. 

From  this  practice  will  come  the  abil- 
ity to  image  yourself  as  occupying  any  de- 
sired position.  Remember  that  in  thus  im- 
aging you  are  first  recreating  the  child- 
mind,  are  being  born  again  by  removing 
the  passions,  prejudices  and  theories  which 
have  grown  up  as  you  have  grown ;  and  in 
the  second  case  are  literally  creating  a  con- 
dition which  will  attract  you  into  it 
through  this  law  of  attraction. 

It  requires  no  faith.  The  law  is  law; 
not  my  opinion.  It  operates  in  every  case 
without  regard  to  your  faith,  but  if  you 
compare  your  mental  condition  as  ad- 
vance is  made  with  the  previous  condition, 


62  Into  the  Light. 

and  note  the  progress,  it  will  develop 
confidence,  or  faith,  in  these  laws.  Such 
confidence  brings  quicker  results. 

One  of  the  quickest  methods  is  to  use 
the  law  to  help  improve  your  financial 
condition  by  building  up  the  idea  that 
prosperity  is  for  you.  Those  who  cannot 
stand  prosperity  thus  become  able  to  ac- 
cept the  good  fortune  that  is  on  the  way 
and  take  care  of  it  when  it  arrives. 

After  this  you  should  be  able  to  realize 
that  your  power  is  sufficient  and  feel  a 
desire  to  grow  in  the  knowledge  of  psychic 
law  into  close  relations  with  the  source  of 
Law. 

These  laws  of  God  are  not  revengeful. 
They  do  not  punish  excepting  as  one  suf- 
fers by  negation. 

If  one  overeats  indigestion  brings  pain 
by  the  disorganization  of  the  system.  If 
no  exercise  is  taken  gout  results  and  a 
weakened  system  which  cannot  resist  dis- 
ease. If  we  exercise  we  grow  strong. 

We  hurry  and  worry  and  exhaust  our 


Into  the  Light.  63 

reserve  strength  until  unable  to  carry  out 
our  plans. 

Thus  it  is  in  every  case.  The  law  must 
be  observed,  or  through  its  own  action 
suffering  results.  It  carries  within  itself 
the  punishment  for  transgression  and  re- 
quires no  one  to  detect  its  infringement. 

How  much  more  likely  are  we  under 
this  understanding  of  life  to  develop 
strength  and  manly  independence  than 
are  we  when  we  depend  upon  the  saving 
grace  of  a  savior. 

Climb  up  out  of  the  cloud  of  theology 
which  is  about  you  into  the  light  of  un- 
derstanding and  be  benefited  by  nature's 
laws  so  ably  expounded  by  the  Nazarene. 
Great  was  he,  this  man  Jesus,  and  much 
to  be  loved  and  venerated. 


Get  into  the  sunlight  of  spiritual  wis- 
dom. It  is  a  very  practical  aid  to  happi- 
ness and  is  surely  worth  while. 


PROSPERITY     THROUGH     DE- 
VELOPMENT 

IT  is  usually  supposed  by  those  who  do 
not  clearly  comprehend  our  philosophy 
that  financial  betterment  may  be  obtained 
in  some  inscrutable  way  while  the  recipi- 
ent is  in  a  stage  of  lethargy.  That  all  the 
action  required  is  a  faith  in  the  operation 
of  some  mental  action  hid  behind  the  ex- 
terior of  a  developed  thinker. 

Nothing  could  be  farther  from  the 
truth.  Very  vital  to  attainment  is  vigor- 
ous action  both  in  development  and  in 
carrying  out  the  ideas  produced  by  such 
development. 

The  proposition  at  the  base  of  our  logic 
is:  success  or  failure  in  life  is  due  to  the 
personality  of  the  individual.  This  might 
be  conceded  by  some  and  furnish  a  hy- 
pothesis from  which  to  reason  but  for  the 
64 


Into  the  Light.  65 

benefit  of  those  others  who  question  it  let 
us  briefly  examine  the  basis  of  fact. 

While  sitting  with  a  banker  some  years 
ago  a  man  came  into  the  office  in  quest  of 
a  loan.  The  banker  heard  his  story  and 
refused.  After  the  man  had  gone  the 
banker  turned  to  me  and  said:  "  That  fel- 
low has  splendid  ideas  but  lacks  the  per- 
sonality to  force  them  through  to  com- 
pletion." 

He  meant  the  man  could  conceive  of  a 
project  that  was  feasible,  could  plan  the 
execution  but  had  not  the  courage,  deter- 
mination, and  persistency  to  continue  the 
prosecution  to  the  desired  end. 

Because  of  this  deficiency  he  refused  to 
risk  the  money  needed  to  carry  out  the 
enterprise. 

Other  men  have  the  qualities  in  which 
this  man  was  deficient  but  waste  their 
energy  on  some  project  which  did  not 
have  the  elements  of  success  at  its  concep- 
tion. 

Again  we  have  the  case  of  the  man  who, 


66  Into  the  Light. 

while  capable  and  well  rounded  in  some 
particular  line  of  business,  fails  because 
he  undertakes  another  line  for  which  his 
peculiar  talents  do  not  fit  him. 

Let  us  analyze  the  man  and  determine 
just  what  qualities  are  needed  to  make 
him  successful  and  the  means  whereby  any 
deficiencies  may  be  developed. 

First,  then,  in  order  to  awake  and  act 
he  must  have  that  projection  of  thought 
which  is  termed,  taking  the  initiative,  i.  e., 
he  must  make  a  start. 

Nor  is  it  sufficient  to  attempt  some  other 
man's  plan — each  should  be  able  to  start 
something  for  one's  self,  even  if  it  be  but 
a  better  arrangement  of  the  goods  in  the 
department  where  one  clerks.  Without 
this  ability  one  cannot  conceive  of  new 
ideas  for  pushing  the  business  after  it  is 
established. 

Second,  he  must  have  good  judgment 
to  enable  him  to  determine  whether  or  not 
the  project  offers  a  fair  chance  of  suc- 
cess. 


Into  the  Light.  67 

Third,  he  must  have  courage  to  hold 
him  to  his  purpose  when  discouragements 
come,  and  determination,  coupled  with 
energy,  to  complete  the  requisites. 

A  mind  endowed  with  these  things  can- 
not fail.  The  first  will  give  him  no  rest 
until  he  makes  a  start  on  some  line  of 
effort. 

The  second  will  reject  all  ideas  which 
do  not  carry  within  themselves  the  ele- 
ments of  success,  and  once  launched  upon 
such  a  business  the  third  will  drive  it  to  a 
successful  conclusion. 

Once  established  the  business  will  carry 
itself  under  the  momentum  reached,  re- 
quiring but  a  continuation  of  the  wisdom 
heretofore  shown. 

Nor  is  this  application  to  concern  only 
those  who  are  originators  and  developers 
of  a  business.  It  is  of  equal  application  to 
the  salesman,  the  buyer,  the  clerk,  or  the 
laborer. 

Each  must  have  some  character  to  re- 
tain his  position. 


68  Into  the  Light. 

I  have  known  men  who  actually  wor- 
ried themselves  out  of  a  position.  Not 
once  alone  but  repeatedly.  And  this  in 
spite  of  knowing  their  work  was  satis- 
factory. 

Worry  sets  in  motion  radiations  of  fail- 
ure, which,  by  the  law  of  attraction,  bring 
one  into  touch  with  other  weak  minds  and 
they  feed  each  other  with  failure.  It  also 
destroys  the  capacity  to  think  and  causes 
a  loss  of  confidence  in  one's  ability  to  exe- 
cute. 

In  such  case  a  very  strenuous  effort 
must  be  made  to  develop  courage,  after 
which  worry  will  disappear. 

Do  you  think  adverse  circumstances 
produce  worry?  Do  not  believe  it.  That 
deficiency  of  courage  in  the  ego  which 
leaves  this  negative  fear,  of  which  worry 
is  the  brat,  produces  adverse  circum- 
stances. 

Have  you  ever  seen  adverse  circum- 
stances survive  the  onslaughts  of  a  vigor- 
ous and  courageous  soul?  I  never  have. 


Into  the  Light.  69 

Want  of  confidence  in  one's  self  is  a  very 
close  companion  and  bosom  friend  to 
worry  and  will  disappear  when  the  per- 
sonality becomes  developed. 

That  one  has  the  power  to  accomplish 
becomes  apparent  after  accomplishment 
has  become  a  fact. 

On  the  other  hand  courage,  confidence, 
energy  and  wisdom  attract  success  and 
companionship  with  successful  men. 

But  one  says,  "  What  business  shall  I 
follow  and  where  are  the  funds?  " 

Do  not  concern  yourself  about  that  fea- 
ture now.  Study  yourself  by  introspec- 
tion in  order  to  learn  in  what  you  are  defi- 
cient then  develop  that  quality.  The 
business  and  funds  will  find  you. 

Take,  for  example,  a  certain  official  of 
the  U.  S.  Steel  Corporation.  He  is  a 
man  of  excellent  qualities  but  at  that 
period  was  poor.  Because  of  his  strong 
personality  he  enjoyed  the  friendship  and 
confidence  of  wealthy  men. 

One  day  a  banker,  who  knew  of  a  new 


70  Into  the  Light. 

venture  which  promised  high  returns 
called  the  official  into  the  bank  and  asked : 
"  Why  do  you  not  take  some  stock  in  that 
concern? " 

The  other  replied  he  had  no  money. 
"  I'll  loan  it  to  you,"  volunteered  the 
hanker.  "  Go  ahead,"  the  official  agreed, 
then  went  his  way  and  forgot  it. 

Some  months  later  he  received  a  certi- 
ficate of  deposit  for  $12,000.00  as  the 
profit  on  the  transaction. 

This  is  the  most  direct  case  of  returns 
upon  character  that  ever  came  to  my  per- 
sonal notice. 

Had  the  official  been  deficient  in  those 
qualities  which  made  the  banker  his  friend 
the  offer  would  never  have  been  made. 

Courage,  confidence  in  one's  self,  en- 
ergy, determination,  and  wisdom  will  pro- 
duce returns  in  every  case.  Those  are  the 
elements  which  make  up  character. 

It  is  not  to  be  inferred  that  every  man 
who  studies  this  philosophy  will  be  a  mil- 
lionaire. What  we  expect  to  do,  and  are 


Into  the  Light.  71 

doing,  is  to  get  the  maximum  results  in 
proportion  to  the  power  of  the  individual. 

The  weakest  personality,  by  conserving 
his  energy,  and  using  to  the  best  purpose 
the  limited  talents  with  which  he  is  en- 
dowed, can  earn  more  than  sufficient  for 
his  needs. 

Neither  is  it  the  intention  to  produce 
machines  for  the  accumulation  of  wealth 
but  rather  to  produce  minds  capable  of  at- 
tracting more  than  is  sufficient  for  their 
needs,  and  in  the  condition  of  satisfaction 
resultant  therefrom  they  are  best  pre- 
pared to  learn  of  the  God  within  and  grow 
into  harmony  with  their  souls.  This  phil- 
osophy is  worth  more  than  a  college  educa- 
tion because  it  recreates  a  man;  gives  him 
new  forces,  while  the  college  only  devel- 
ops those  he  possesses. 

I  would  change  this  idea  of  quick  for- 
tunes, then  idleness  and  irresponsible 
vagabondage  to  a  realization  that  life  is 
being  lived  in  eternity  now  and  that  its 
fullness  should  be  had  at  the  present  mo- 


72  Into  the  Light. 

ment.  That  very  spirit  of  control  which 
will  enable  one  to  gain  money  will  also 
enable  him  to  greet  the  loved  ones  with 
kindness,  friendship,  and  appreciation, 
then,  instead  of  living  in  jar  and  discord, 
the  family  becomes  harmonious.  With  it 
comes  a  thankfulness  that  life  holds  so 
much  of  content  and  joy.  Thus  we  are 
living  in  the  fullness  thereof. 

As  the  days  grow  into  years  we  find  that 
the  Spirit  abides  with  us  and  grows  upon 
us;  and  will  so  grow  through  all  eternity. 

Yea,  verily,  I  say  unto  you  we  are  living 
in  eternity  now. 

Do  you  deem  these  things  vagaries,  not 
applicable  to  the  practical  affairs  of  every- 
day life? 

Suppose  those  of  you  who  tremble  at 
the  frown  of  your  employer,  or  look  with 
dread  upon  the  advancing  years,  cultivate 
by  suggestion,  or  mood,  or  imagination, 
or  by  a  combination  of  all,  that  quiet  reso- 
luteness which  comes  with  a  spirit  at  peace 
and  see  the  frown  change  into  cordial  ap- 


Into  the  Light.  73 

preciation  and  feel  that  with  the  ripening 
years  will  come  a  fuller  knowledge  and  a 
greater  power. 

Then  you  will  not  shrink  into  yourself 
and  thus  restrict  your  spirit,  but  face  the 
world  with  a  resolute  heart,  appropriat- 
ing therefrom  those  things  which  are  your 
own. 

There  are  two  methods  of  using  our 
forces  to  attract  money  and  every  man 
should  be  able  to  use  them  sufficiently  to 
enable  him  to  live  undisturbed  within  his 
own  home  and  have  sufficient  for  his  every 
need. 

No  more  is  necessary,  nor  is  there  a 
limit  to  ambition's  bounds  when  once  it 
takes  full  sway. 

The  poor  family  who  earns  a  home,  at 
once  aspires  to  an  automobile;  then 
pounds  lustily  at  the  portals  of  society  for 
admission.  The  income  is  no  longer  suffi- 
cient for  the  needs  and  the  second  estate 
brings  no  more  contentment  than  the  first. 

The  poorest  man  I  ever  knew  was  a  mil- 


74  Into  the  Light. 

lionaire  whose  income  did  not  keep  pace 
with  the  style  of  living  set  by  his  family. 

He  was  driven  to  desperation  by  the 
incessant  inflow  of  bills. 

He  failed  in  a  desperate  attempt  to 
make  a  great  fortune,  his  wife  left  him 
and  then  he  found  himself. 

To-day  he  lives  in  a  pretty  little  home 
with  another,  and  a  better  wife,  who  does 
not  use  him  for  a  machine  to  acquire  the 
funds  to  enable  her  to  exhibit  herself. 

Give  over  the  chase  for  folly,  and  ex- 
citement, and  show,  and  splendor;  get  ye 
into  the  life  which  knows  a  deeper  pleas- 
ure and  a  greater  joy. 

The  first  of  the  two  methods  to  which 
we  have  referred  is  the  common  one  of 
giving  no  heed  to  the  attractive  power  of 
mind;  no  study  of  the  right  use  of  the 
forces  with  which  nature  has  endowed  us, 
but,  with  a  wild  rush,  plunged  pell  mell 
into  the  maelstrom  of  business  and  en- 
deavored to  wrench  from  the  hands  that 


Into  the  Light.  75 

grasp  it,  the  fortune  we  would  have  for 
our  own. 

There  has  been  scant  consideration  for 
the  rights  of  others.  Justice  and  right 
were  below  the  horizon,  and  behind  us, 
both  out  of  sight. 

We  were  as  willing  to  take  from  others 
the  results  of  their  toil  as  we  were  to  pro- 
duce by  well-directed  labor  a  new  addition 
to  the  values  of  the  world;  though  such 
production  would  be  ours  by  the  right  of 
creation. 

Into  this  struggle,  this  stock  exchange 
of  the  universe,  frenzied,  cold  and  heart- 
less, we  trampled  the  weaker  under  foot 
and  standing  on  their  bodies  proudly  pro- 
claimed that  we  conquered  by  the  right  of 
the  survival  of  the  fittest. 

Older  grown  and  weak  we  have  felt  the 
crush  of  the  iron-shod  heel  and  cried  out 
at  the  injustice  wrought  upon  us. 

Production  should  be  our  first  desire. 
It  may  be  production  of  food,  manufac- 
tured articles,  gold,  or  other  metals,  or  es- 


76  Into  the  Light. 

pecially  the  creation,  out  of  waste,  of  some 
article  that  is  of  benefit  to  mankind. 

In  this  we  can  benefit  ourselves  while  we 
are  benefiting  the  world. 

Next  come  those  who  only  serve.  It  is 
a  legitimate  occupation  to  go  where  some 
article  is  produced,  buy  it  and  carry  it  to 
some  other  place  where  it  is  needed,  charg- 
ing a  reasonable  return  for  our  toil  and 
expense. 

Any  act  which  renders  a  service  to  so- 
ciety is  worth  a  fair  remuneration,  but  no 
more.  The  greatest  rewards  should  be 
reserved  for  those  who  create. 

This,  then,  is  the  law.  Either  produce 
something,  or  render  a  service  to  mankind. 
Otherwise  you  have  no  just  claim  to  re- 
muneration. 

Working  within  this  law  is  the  first  step 
towards  getting  into  concord  with  the  God 
in  man,  and  a  requisite  to  guidance  by  the 
wisdom  beyond  our  ken.  Every  great 
man  has  been  guided  by  it  either  con- 
sciously or  unconsciously.  Every  great 


Into  the  Light.  77 

invention,  every  great  thought  is  its  pro- 
duct. 

Under  this  approval  of  self  we  with- 
draw daily  from  contact  with  our  fellows 
and  in  absolute  quiet  spend  an  hour  daily, 
as  nearly  as  possible  the  same  hour,  listen- 
ing, resting,  waiting  for  the  impulse  which 
will  direct  us  on  the  path  which  is  our  very 
own. 

Through  this  law  of  mood  we  attract 
strength  and  wisdom  and  store  them  away 
to  meet  any  crisis  which  may  arise. 

Thus  while  we  wait  are  we  better  able 
to  do  those  duties  with  which  we  are  now 
employed. 

Some  time,  perhaps  soon,  perhaps  after 
long  waiting,  comes  the  impulse  to  learn 
some  trade,  or  engage  in  some  business, 
and  we  know  that  at  last  we  have  found 
ourselves. 

Then  we  must  not  rush  into  it  but  think, 
in  our  solitude,  about  the  best  way  to  com- 
mence— think  of  yourself  and  image  your- 


78  Into  the  Light. 

self  as  occupying  the  place  and  then  allow 
plans  to  formulate  themselves. 

Afterwards  the  ways  and  means  sug- 
gest themselves  and  we  are  launched  upon 
our  project. 

Then  all  the  force  we  have  accumulated 
and  all  the  wisdom  such  mood  has  brought 
is  called  into  service  and  we  spend  them 
carrying  out  the  plan. 

Bankers  and  business  friends  feel  this 
force  and  welcome  you.  They  stand  ready 
to  extend  a  helping  hand. 

"  He  is  bound  to  be  successful,"  they  tell 
each  other  and  their  very  suggestion  is  a 
powerful  help  to  you. 

But,  one  says,  "  I  am  out  of  employ- 
ment and  cannot  wait  to  grow  into  wis- 
dom and  strength." 

Strengthen  your  mentality  with  the  re- 
solve that  you  will  find  employment  then 
set  out  and  visit  every  shop,  store  and  fac- 
tory, until  some  place  is  found  for  you, 
then  make  yourself  so  useful  they  will  not 
get  along  without  you.  Thus  protected 


Into  the  Light.  79 

fix  your  attention  upon  advancement,  use 
these  laws  and  grow. 

It  can  be  done.  I  got  employment  in 
Pittsburg  during  Cleveland's  administra- 
tion when  the  streets  were  full  of  despond- 
ent men  and  whole  families  were  lined  up 
before  the  municipal  soup  houses. 

Do  not  say,  "  can't."  There  is  no  more 
useless  thing  on  earth  than  the  man  who 
says  he  can't.  Use  the  suggestion  "  I  can 
and  will,"  then  try  and  if  you  fail  try 
again.  Pound  away. 

Here,  then,  is  our  recipe  for  success. 

Take  an  hour  daily  in  solitude.  Make  it 
the  same  hour  each  day.  Study  yourself 
by  introspection  for  ten  minutes,  in  order 
to  discover  the  weakness  of  your  character. 

Spend  a  few  minutes  breathing  great 
draughts  down  to  the  bottom  of  your 
lungs. 

Suggest  courage  if  you  are  faint 
hearted;  or  do  not  feel  that  buoyant  self- 
confidence  which  projects  your  spirit  out- 
ward. 


80  Into  the  Light. 

Follow  this  by  suggestions  of  determi- 
nation, confidence,  concentration,  and 
whatever  other  qualities  are  found  to  be 
wanting.  Spend  the  remainder  of  the  time 
in  motionless,  silent,  strength  receiving 
rest,  sitting  upright  with  both  feet  flatly 
upon  the  floor. 

If  you  cannot  get  a  free  hour  use  as 
much  time  as  is  possible. 

If  no  time  is  possible  make  suggestions 
as  you  can. 

The  best  results  are  lost,  however,  with- 
out the  silent,  motionless  rest. 

We  do  not  ask  you  to  have  faith.  But 
only  ask  that  you  do  these  things.  The 
confidence,  or  faith,  will  follow  when  the 
results  come. 

This  method  develops  you  into  a 
stronger  personality  and  your  intelligence 
will  supply  the  rest. 

If  it  were  necessary  to  put  into  one  sen- 
tence the  whole  of  this  philosophy  it  might 
be  stated  in  this  wise :  Rest  and  grow  into 


Into  the  Light.  81 

the  mood  of  peace  which  passeth  under- 
standing. 

The  effect  of  suggestion,  imagination, 
and  the  developed  mood  of  silent  prayer 
never  leaves  the  mind. 

If  the  work  is  dropped  they  continue  to 
develop  the  worker  to  some  degree  forever. 

In  fact,  if  one  has  worked  strenuously  it 
is  well  to  stop  for  a  time  to  let  the  new  per- 
sonality solidify  and  establish  a  basis  for 
renewed  effort. 

During  this  rest  spend  some  time  daily 
in  quiet,  silent  reverie.  More  than  likely 
you  will  unconsciously  do  this  when  the 
hour  arrives  which  has  been  used  for  your 
development.  If  not  do  it  anyway.  It 
rests  your  mind  and  gives  the  psychic 
forces  a  chance  for  unobstructed  oper- 
ation. 

When  a  desire  to  renew  the  suggestions 
come,  yield  to  it,  and  keep  it  up  as  long  as 
the  inclination  remains.  This  desire  is  the 
spirit  moving  you. 


82  Into  the  Light. 

Learn  to  listen  and  watch  for  this  spirit- 
ual desire.  It  is  the  voice  of  God. 

Do  not,  however,  mistake  the  impulse  of 
passion  or  prejudice  for  the  desire  of  the 
silent  hour. 


SUGGESTIONS 

CHOOSE  those  that  seem  suited  to  your 
needs. 


Through  the  God  in  me  am  I  freed  from 
.anxiety,  by  being  carried  into  the  pure, 
confident,  radiant  Spirit  of  Life. 


Because  the  God  in  me  is  a  part  of  the 
one  life  of  the  universe  am  I  in  accord  with 
the  radiations  of  life  that  exalt  me  above 
doubt  and  trouble. 


I  attract,  through  my  God,  wisdom  to 
plan,  initiative  to  commence,  determin- 
ation and  persistency  to  carry  the  plan 
through,  and  courage  which  strengthens 
my  soul  to  stand  prosperity  when  it  comes. 


AFFIRMATION 

MY  reason  is  but  a  poor  guide;  here- 
after I  shall  take  my  guidance  from  the 
spirit  as  it  speaks  to  me  in  the  silent  hour. 


SELF  of  my  self,  and  Creator  of  all! 
Thou  spirit  of  peace  and  love  within  me 
and  about  me  and  of  me,  teach  me  to  open 
my  soul  to  receive  Thy  radiations. 

Teach  me  that  peace  and  plenty,  and 
love  and  fellowship  are  rightfully  mine 
and  enable  me  to  realize  it. 

Carry  me  into  Thy  life  so  far  as  I  am 
able  to  go  and  make  me  stronger  that  I 
may  proceed. 

Make  manifest  the  reality  of  Thy  power 
to  bring  peace  and  plenty  by  so  blessing 
me  and  then  give  me  wisdom  to  speak  the 
right  word  to  others  that  they  may  find 
Thee. 

Lead  me  into  my  very  own. 

Aloud  I  cry,  "  Not  unto  me !  not  unto 
me!  but  unto  Thee!  Oh!  Power  Sublime! 
give  me  all  praise ! "  and  in  the  silence  of 

85 


86  Into  the  Light. 

communion  give  I  to  Thee  my  love,  my 
life,  my  all. 

Still  my  fears. 

Make  my  body  to  accord  with  my  mind 
and  my  mind  with  my  soul  which  is  Thy 
presence  implanted  within  me.  AMEN. 


REPETITIONS     AND     RANDOM 
THOUGHTS 

WHEN  questions  requiring  decision 
arise  the  man  who  works  by  reason  must 
depend  upon  the  results  of  past  experi- 
ence. If  he  has  had  no  experience  bearing 
on  that  particular  point  he  is  adrift  upon 
a  tempestuous  sea  of  doubt. 

The  man  who  has  reached  the  higher 
wisdom  can  go  into  his  room  and  get  help 
from  the  source  of  power. 


More  than  half  of  the  American  world 
are  aimless.  They  rush  hither  and  thither 
with  one  idea  to-day,  another  to-morrow, 
throwing  their  force  away  in  fruitless 
effort.  This  will  never  accomplish 
enough  to  acquire  a  competence.  Wait! 
Find  yourself!  Make  the  decision  as  to 
what  the  occupation  shall  be  with  due  de- 

87 


88  Into  the  Light. 

liberation.  Keep  the  idea  before  you  dur- 
ing your  leisure  and  let  it  remain  in  the 
consciousness  while  employed. 

The  decision  will  come.  When  it  does 
hold  it  in  a  tight  grip.  It  makes  no  differ- 
ence what  the  aim  is.  Nothing  is  beyond 
you  if  your  power  is  developed. 

Nothing  can  be  farther  above  you  than 
was  my  desire  for  understanding  was  from 
me.  Ignorant,  uncouth,  antagonistic,  I 
was  everywhere  wrong.  Mine  worked  out 
through  persistent  determined  effort. 
Yours  will  also. 

Do  not  talk.  This  is  imperative.  If 
you  do  some  one  will  laugh  at  you,  or 
sneer,  or  pour  cold  water  some  other  way, 
and  diminish  your  resolve  if  not  destroy  it 
entirely. 

They  bring  you  into  touch  with  the  cur- 
rent of  world  doubt.  If  you  want  to  suc- 
ceed, keep  your  counsel. 

Be  determined  in  your  effort.  If  some 
one  tells  you  that  God  is  withholding  the 
realization  of  ideals  for  some  purpose 


Into  the  Light.  89 

which  we  are  forbidden  to  examine,  put 
him  down  for  a  false  prophet,  laugh,  and 
go  serenely  upon  your  way.  You  will  get 
whatever  your  mind  feels  it  must  have  if 
you  keep  after  it  with  all  the  wisely  di- 
rected vigor  of  your  soul. 

Do  not  allow  yourself  to  become  sub- 
servient. The  cringing  type  of  man  draws 
scorn,  ridicule  and  figurative  blows.  His 
society  is  nowhere  welcome.  No  one 
trusts  such  a  man.  Do  not  "  look  up  "  to 
any  man.  You  are  the  peer  of  all.  Not 
as  fully  developed  perhaps,  filled  with 
fears,  perhaps :  but  in  the  reality  none  are 
superior.  Get  expression  from  your  soul 
and  live  from  within,  then  this  subser- 
viency will  leave  you. 

Neither  should  you  be  domineering. 
Holding  yourself  dominant  in  order  to  re- 
pel insolence  does  not  imply  that  one 
should  domineer.  The  latter  is  the  other 
extreme  of  subserviency.  It  draws  disre- 
spect, opposition  and  hostility. 


90  Into  the  Light. 

Since  the  Supreme  furnishes  us  with 
wisdom  to  plan,  and  energy  to  execute  we 
should  assume  the  responsibility  of  di- 
recting our  material  affairs. 

Praying  for  money  or  position  is  not 
the  right  kind  of  prayer.  Rather  pray  for 
those  qualities  which  will  enable  you  to 
carry  yourself  up  to  a  position  of  inde- 
pendence and  for  the  mood  which  will 
allow  wisdom  to  enter  your  mind. 


The  trip  upward  is  not  arduous.  It  is 
full  of  pleasurable  rewards.  When  the 
spirit  is  found  to  be  calmer,  the  thought 
clearer,  and  material  returns  come,  the 
realization  that  these  things  are  true  brings 
a  deeper  and  a  more  permanent  joy  than 
can  be  attained  in  any  other  way. 


When  we  say  be  calm,  it  must  not  be 
presumed  that  one  should  force  matters, 
or  try  to  compel  passiveness;  nor  to  be 
submissive  to  intolerable  conditions.  In- 
stead let  the  mind  rest  as  fully  as  possible, 


Into  the  Light.  91 

holding  a  radiant,  commanding,  outgiving 
attitude  in  consciousness  so  far  as  possible 
without  becoming  forceful  and  active  in 
mind.  The  keynote  is  rest.  Think  only 
as  much  as  is  necessary  to  prevent  thought 
from  bounding  hither  and  thither. 

Think  slowly  at  all  times.  Do  not  de- 
cide for  yourself  but  let  your  decisions 
formulate  for  you  within  the  mind.  Hold- 
ing the  idea  and  resting  in  peace  will  bring 
results. 


I  do  not  believe  in  speculation  as  to  just 
how  results  are  attained.  If  certain  acts 
produces  certain  results  we  may  produce 
said  results  by  doing  the  acts,  which  is 
sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes.  Too 
much  dwelling  upon  the  how  and  why, 
while  interesting,  is  apt  to  take  attention 
from  doing  the  act.  We  become  moral- 
izers  and  wise  talkers  but  are  wanting  in 
substance. 


If  the  mind  does  not  strain  in  the  silent 


92  Into  the  Light. 

hour  it  will  be  a  period  of  enjoyment  to 
which  you  will  look  forward  with  pleas- 
urable anticipations. 


It  is  not  wise  to  set  your  mind  upon 
some  position  or  business  and  throw  all 
the  determined  energy  of  your  being  upon 
attaining  it.  You  will  get  it,  but  some- 
thing else  may  be  much  better  suited  to 
your  happiness  and  there  will  be  a  partial 
failure  inasmuch  as  you  choose  the  lesser 
good.  Center  rather  upon  the  condition 
desired,  image  yourself  in  such  condition 
and  let  the  means  naturally  arrive.  It 
may  be  by  some  other  route  than  the  one 
you  would  choose.  However,  if  you  pre- 
fer, and  perhaps  doubt  the  success  of  these 
methods,  set  the  goal  and  go  after  it  with 
persistency. 


Do  not  criticise,  because  it  is  a  condition 
of  mind  that  attracts  weakness  and  will 
grow  into  a  permanent  mold.  Every  one 
is  undergoing  an  evolution.  None  are 


Into  the  Light.  93 

perfect.  One  fault  is  no  worse  than  an- 
other. Since  all  have  weaknesses  (faults) 
all  might  be  censured.  Let  him  who  is 
without  sin  cast  the  first  stone.  Realize 
that  the  God  in  man  will  eventually  re- 
create all  and  study  to  find  the  better 
points  in  each  for  your  own  protection. 


There  is  nothing  on  the  face  of  the 
earth  to-day  more  contemptible  than  a 
rich  man  who  is  striving  to  get  more.  It 
is  a  disease  of  the  mind.  A  kind  of  power- 
ful insanity.  Imagination  is  creative.  No 
building  of  any  moment  is  constructed 
until  it  was  first  held  in  imagination.  In 
fact  the  plans  are  not  even  drawn. 

It  is  not  a  new  method.  We  find  men- 
tion of  it  in  the  bible  at  times,  from  Gen- 
esis to  Revelations,  and  in  profane  his- 
tory long  previous  to  the  time  of  Genesis. 

Inventors  know  of  it  naturally.  Some 
of  them  seemed  surprised  that  it  should 
be  mentioned  in  a  book.  "  Why,"  one 
said  to  me,  "  I  thought  everybody  knew 
that." 


94  Into  the  Light. 

Every  great  man  uses  it  to  help  him  on 
the  way. 

Read  Emerson's  "  Oversoul." 

Every  fault  you  see  in  others  is  in  your- 
self. They  are  the  looking-glass  in  which 
your  weakness  is  reflected. 

Do  not  center  upon  sensuality  and  think 
it  the  highest  expression  of  immoral  prac- 
tice. There  are  worse  things  in  this  world. 
Injustice  is  one,  hypocrisy  another.  The 
man  who  lives  by  depriving  others  of  their 
just  returns  for  labor  expended,  the 
schemer  and  trickster,  especially  if  he  is  a 
member  of  some  church  and  professes  to 
be  "  good,"  is  too  low  to  shake  hands  with 
a  common  prostitute. 

So  is  the  politician  who  pretends  to 
serve  the  people  but  only  serves  himself. 

The  society  woman  who  marries  for 
money  and  position  is  no  different  from 
any  other  woman  who  sells  herself  for 
money.  She  prostitutes  herself  to  one 
man  while  the  others  have  many.  The 
principal  violated  is  the  same. 


Into  the  Light.  95 

Petty  regulators  of  everyone's  affairs, 
gossipers  and  scandal  mongers  are  actu- 
ally as  low  minded  as  are  those  they  de- 
nounce. They  wallow  in  every  puddle  of 
mental  filth  to  be  found. 

If  you  are  one  and  cannot  help  it  for 
God's  sake  keep  your  mouth  shut. 


A  preacher  should  not  be  compelled  to 
visit  his  congregation  in  their  homes. 

He  should  spend  his  time  in  solitude, 
building  the  spirit  within  himself  in  order 
to  pour  it  out  on  Sunday  in  a  great  vol- 
ume to  recreate  the  members. 

That  is  his  duty  and  therein  lies  his 
worth. 

Such  spirit  cannot  be  developed  if  he 
spends  his  time  visiting.  Nor  could  it  if 
he  stayed  at  home,  should  the  excitable, 
petty  people  of  his  congregation  visit  him? 
Usually  a  preacher  does  not  know  any- 
thing about  these  things  and  would  likely 
fall  asleep  if  he  tried  reverie. 

Let  him  try  visiting  only  those  whose 


96  Into  the  Light. 

souls  add  to  his  peace  and  strength  and  see 
how  quickly  the  vicious,  petty  ones  would 
raise  a  howl. 

I  am  really  sorry  for  any  preacher  who 
has  found  the  way.  His  cross  is  heavy. 

Very  few  priests  or  preachers  want  to 
know  the  truth.  They  prefer  to  remain 
as  taught  because  of  the  tendency  of  the 
mind  to  cling  to  the  lessons  of  childhood 
and  some  few  because  they  are  afraid  to 
face  the  world  without  a  salary. 

Any  one  of  them  who  is  earnest  will  soon 
learn  the  absurdity  of  creed  if  he  will  sit 
silent  each  day  for  half  an  hour  and  ear- 
nestly repeat  with  an  open  mind,  "  I  must 
be  led  into  the  truth." 

Dare  ye  do  it?  Ye  men  who  profess  to 
have  heard  the  call  and  are  full  of  the 
Spirit. 


The  Infinite  wants  us  to  be  happy; 
wants  a  spontaneous  outflow  of  gladness. 
If  going  away  to  the  woods  on  Sunday 
gives  you  more  joy  than  going  to  church 


Into  the  Light.  97 

by  all  means  go.  The  higher  life  is  not 
lived  by  restriction  and  by  precept,  but  by 
freedom  and  good  cheer,  and  the  outpour- 
ing of  joy  from  the  communion  with  the 
indwelling  God  in  man. 


The  trend  of  a  man's  mind  is  an  ac- 
curate index  of  his  capabilities.  If  he  says, 
"  I  will  never  own  a  home,"  the  remark 
shows  that  he  unconsciously  recognizes 
that  he  is  deficient  in  those  mental  qualities 
necessary  to  earn  the  money  with  which  to 
buy  the  home. 

But  he  leaves  out  of  the  equation  the 
fact  that  mind  is  capable  of  being 
strengthened  until  he  will  be  able  to  earn 
a  home,  when  he  will  say,  "  I  can  earn  one 
and  am  going  after  it  and  get  it." 

Look  over  the  range  of  possibilities  and 
find  where  you  stand. 

Never  think  of  your  weakness.  Think 
of  its  opposite  which  is  strength.  If  you 
are  a  coward  think  of  Courage. 

Do  not  think  incessantly.     When  one 


98  Into  the  Light. 

thinks  force  is  being  used  and  the  constant 
depletion  uses  up  the  latent,  or  stored  en- 
ergy. This  leaves  an  exhausted  mind. 

Develop  the  insight  into  psychic  things 
which  is  implanted  within  you.  It  is  not 
sufficient  to  think  and  study  and  talk.  Be 
still:  use  an  hour  daily  as  directed. 


Keep  your  attention  upon  your  work. 
Do  not  ramble  in  mind  dividing  your  in- 
terest between  your  task  and  something 
foreign. 

If  you  will  persist  in  such  practice  it 
will  weaken  your  mind,  thus  rendering 
you  less  able  to  succeed. 


QUALITIES  TO  BE  DEVELOPED 

COURTESY,  kindness,  concentration, 
tact,  goodwill,  appreciation,  benevolence, 
courage,  confidence,  determination,  initi- 
ative, silence,  tolerance,  reserve,  geni- 
ality, earnestness,  cordiality,  honesty,  en- 
ergy. 

Do  not  try  to  maintain  a  standard  of 
living  beyond  your  means  because  some 
friend  is  undergoing  the  tortures  of  hell 
to  maintain  such  a  standard. 

You  need  a  home,  a  fire,  food,  and  warm 
clothing,  plenty  of  work,  a  few  real 
friends,  and  not  much  else. 


This  repression,  this  sanctimony,  this 
formality,  deprives  mankind  of  the  spon- 
taneous outpouring  of  passion,  and  stran- 
gles his  power  in  the  cloak  of  theology. 

Passion,  not  lust,  is  the  choicest  posses- 

99 


100  Into  the  Light. 

sion  of  humanity.    It  is  the  foundation  of 
all  art  and  oratory. 

Freedom  cries  aloud  for  its  expression. 
It  is  to  use  and  enjoy  and  have.  Its  abuse 
brings  more  disasterous  results  than  does 
the  abuse  of  any  other  power,  because  it 
is  the  highest  expression  of  force  and  its 
reaction  is  greatest. 

Lust  and  promiscuous  relations  are  ab- 
horrent to  the  divine  passion.  It  claims 
for  its  counterpart  wisdom  to  use  and  not 
abuse. 

The  great  souls  of  the  world  have  been 
made  great  by  the  unrestricted  outflow  of 
their  great  passion.  Sexual  expression  is 
its  smallest  part.  Every  act  of  the  man  is 
tinged  with  it.  This  it  is  that  sets  the 
banner  of  freedom  on  the  mountain  top 
for  all  to  see,  and  waves  aloft  the  flaming 
sword  of  glory  to  urge  mankind  to  climb. 

Out  upon  the  starved  and  dwarfed  ring- 
lets who  whisper  tales  of  scandal  over  their 
tea  cups!  Use  your  gifts  and  enjoy  them, 
then  thank  God  for  them. 


Into  the  Light.  101 

Believe  what  appeals  to  you  as  true  and 
reject  all  else.  When  a  person  has  de- 
veloped the  quality  of  truth  in  the  intel- 
lect the  spirit  within  will  instantly  tell  him 
what  is  true  and  what  is  false  on  any 
proposition,  whether  it  be  of  spiritual  or 
of  material  matters. 

This  voice  of  the  spirit  is  not  spoken 
words  but  a  language  without  sound.  A 
knowledge  which  arises  to  answer  the 
question  asked. 

There  is  another  soundless  language 
which  may  be  used  between  people.  It 
thinks  the  words  the  mouth  would  have 
spoken  and  knows  the  answer  without  ears. 

If  this  sounds  fantastical  get  into  the 
mood  and  learn  for  yourself.* 

Getting  money  is  always  the  direct  re- 
sult of  effort,  either  physical  or  mental. 

Every  effect  has  a  cause.  The  cause 
which  produces  money  is  a  well-planned 
enterprise,  energetically  carried  out. 

*  I  have  received  spoken  replies  from  a  hypnotic  sub- 
ject in  answer  to  my  thought. 


102  Into  the  Light. 

Do  not  focus  your  attention  upon  the 
money  but  upon  the  plan  and  the  methods 
of  execution. 

Stiffen  the  fibre  of  your  soul  by  sugges- 
tion until  you  can  "  stand  prosperity." 

Think  of  yourself  as  prosperous — now. 
Do  something. 


Economy  is  as  necessary  in  building 
your  character  as  in  acquiring  property. 

Economy  does  not  consist  in  squeezing 
and  grinding  to  save,  but  rather  in  freely 
buying  a  good  quality  of  needful  things 
and  not  buying  the  things  you  think  you 
need. 

Woe  unto  usurers,  and  taskmasters, 
and  they  who  enrich  themselves  by  a  skill- 
ful trading  wherein  they  give  less  than 
they  receive! 

It  is  lawful  to  receive  remuneration  for 
those  acts  which  benefit  mankind  in  pro- 
portion to  the  benefit  given.  Production, 
and  making  of  land  more  fertile,  serving, 


Into  the  Light.  103 

and  constructing  and  helping  are  blessed 
by  the  Lord. 

Accursed  be  the  King  who  enlarges  his 
dominions  by  force,  and  the  man  who  ac- 
quires by  cunning.  They  are  an  abom- 
ination. Men  shall  despise  them  and 
drive  them  to  the  desert  and  to  the  moun- 
tain to  perish.  They  shall  be  branded  by 
the  indignation  of  just  men  and  every  man 
shall  feel  it  and  refuse  to  give  them  suc- 
cor. 

Nor  shall  any  man  longer  bow  and  smile 
before  the  rich  man  because  he  is  rich,  hop- 
ing to  find  favor  with  him.  But  all  men 
shall  be  of  stout  heart,  and  manly,  and 
shall  honor  him  who  is  just,  and  him  who 
is  wise,  and  him  who  is  humble  because  of 
his  wisdom. 

They  shall  love  to  serve  whosoever  hath 
a  pure  spirit  and  shall  learn  of  him  how  to 
open  their  souls  to  receive  the  spirit  of  the 
Lord. 

The  wise  men  shall  talk  together  and 
think  as  one,  in  unity,  that  they  shall  es- 


104  Into  the  Light. 

tablish  factories  wherein  men  of  less  spirit 
may  labor  and  each  shall  do  his  utmost  to 
the  limit  of  his  intelligence  and  strength 
to  produce  and  shall  give  all  of  his  atten- 
tion to  his  task  that  it  may  be  well  done. 

Each  shall  be  ready  to  lend  aid  to  those 
who  falter  and  cannot  understand  that 
they  may  learn  to  do.  And  the  wise  men 
shall  instruct  them  especially  how  to  gain 
wisdom. 

Nor  shall  any  man  wish  for  more  in- 
come than  the  strength  of  his  spirit  shall 
bring  him,  but  be  content,  knowing  he  will 
grow  stronger  and  receive  more. 

Nor  shall  any  man  build  a  grand  house 
wherein  to  say  in  his  heart,  "  Lo,  seest  thou 
how  grand  am  I,"  but  shall  build  unto 
his  needs  only,  strong  and  neat  and  health- 
ful without  ostentation. 

It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  wise  men  to 
call  together  the  laborers  and  destroy  such 
a  house  as  is  built  for  vanity  and  drive 
away  the  man  and  his  family  into  the  des- 
ert as  accursed. 


Into  the  Light.  105 

Nor  shall  any  man  strive  to  become 
mighty  in  affairs  for  it  is  lawful  to  strive 
only  for  wisdom  and  justice  and  love. 

Then  all  men  shall  deny  themselves  and 
feel  no  grief  thereby  that  they  may  be 
happy  in  serving.  Thus  saith  the  Lord. 

There  shall  be  joy  and  laughter  and 
kindness.  The  weak  shall  be  made  strong 
and  the  ill  shall  become  whole. 

Every  man  shall  have  enough  for  him- 
self and  his  own. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  one  who  is 
needy  to  work  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
every  wise  man  who  hath  means  to  make 
constructive  work  for  the  needy  who  do 
not  find  employment.  They  shall  clear 
land  and  plant  it  to  crops  and  vineyards 
that  it  may  produce  and  so  also,  shall  they 
build  roads  and  playgrounds  and  do  what- 
ever is  needful,  for  which  the  rich  shall  pay 
gladly  as  a  thank  offering  to  the  Lord  for 
the  abundance  he  hath  given  them. 

They  shall  smile  with  a  glad  heart  as 
they  pay  because  it  pleaseth  them  to  be 


106  Into  the  Light. 

good  stewards,  and  the  laborer  shall  smile 
as  he  works  and  be  glad  that  no  man  taketh 
away  his  work  since  there  is  work  for  all. 

Nor  shall  any  man  deal  in  goods  to  en- 
rich himself  but  only  to  serve,  and  his  re- 
ward shall  be  sufficient  for  his  needs. 

Every  man  shall  work  according  to  his 
strength  even  to  the  women  and  children 
and  aged. 

Nor  shall  any  man  work  without  ceas- 
ing, but  shall  have  leisure  to  enjoy  and 
shall  be  free  from  care. 

For  know  you  the  weak  suffer  in  this 
day  because  the  strong  usurp  the  good 
things  of  life  and  no  man,  weak  or  strong, 
knoweth  justice. 

Accursed  be  the  lazy  and  those  who 
complain  and  tell  grievous  tales  of  suffer- 
ing. No  man  shall  succor  them,  nor  listen 
to  them.  Then  shall  the  one  labor  as  do  all 
men,  and  the  others  cease  to  selfishly  think 
of  themselves  continually,  else  shall  they 
be  driven  to  the  desert  or  the  mountains 
to  perish. 


Into  the  Light.  107 

Men  shall  love  freedom  and  build  great 
forts,  and  great  navies,  and  great  armies, 
to  protect  themselves  from  the  aggression 
of  ruthless  kings;  nor  shall  any  man  re- 
fuse to  gladly  obey  those  in  power. 
Neither  shall  the  wise  men  who  guide  the 
armies,  nor  those  who  serve  in  such  guid- 
ance, fare  better  than  those  who  are  under- 
lings: Nor  shall  they  take  glory  unto 
themselves  because  they  are  skilled,  but 
only  give  thanks  to  the  Lord  that  they  are 
able  to  do  so  much  to  continue  the  liberty 
of  the  world.  Selah! 

Suggestions  such  as,  "  I  shall  be  suc- 
cessful "  are  not  expected  to  bring  suc- 
cess to  you  but  to  build  up  a  realization 
that  success  is  for  you.  The  act  which 
brings  the  returns  must  be  done. 

The  point  is,  you  will  not  do  the  act 
until  you  realize  that  you  can  accomplish 
whatever  is  undertaken. 


Never   waste   energy   despising   petty 


108  Into  the  Light. 

people — the  mind  they  carry  is  punish- 
ment enough. 

If  men  denounce,  revile  and  persecute 
you  because  you  do  not  believe  their  the- 
ology, remember  it  is  a  quality  of  mind  to 
resent  any  attempt  to  change  the  attitude 
built  up  by  early  training  and  environ- 
ment ;  also  that  none  but  puny  people  deny 
the  right  to  freedom  of  thought  and  ex- 
pression. Such  people  should  not  be  al- 
lowed to  upset  your  equanimity.  Go  se- 
renely on  your  way. 


Do  not  talk  needlessly.  These  people 
who  gather  in  groups,  society  they  term  it, 
and  flutter  and  smirk  and  gab  about  noth- 
ing, are  foolishly  throwing  away  the 
strength  which  would  fortify  their  souls 
and  establish  poise. 

Through  this  poise  would  come  wisdom 
and  an  insight  into  a  higher,  deeper,  hap- 
pier life. 

Talking  uses  force.  Thinking  uses 
force.  How  silly,  then,  to  run  along 


Into  the  Light.  109 

mouthing  nothings  and  wasting  the  force 
which  is  the  only  means  one  has  to  build 
up  the  material  fortune  and  the  spiritual 
growth. 


This  religion  is  the  religion  of  the 
normal  life.  The  home  life  with  the 
natural  use  of  natural  faculties.  The  wife 
and  fireside  and  babies,  love  and  laughter 
and  good  will,  friends  and  neighbors,  and 
a  hearty  word  of  cheer  for  every  man. 

Purity,  when  purity  means  repression, 
goodness,  when  goodness  means  sancti- 
mony and  seeming  are  no  part  of  it. 

To  thine  own  self  be  true  and  fear  not. 
God  smiles  and  the  sun  shines.  Let  both 
into  your  heart. 


'  Thine  is  a  soul  of  truth  in  things  er- 
roneous." The  original  reason  for  observ- 
ing the  Sabbath  was  to  have  a  fixed  time 
for  retiring  from  the  cares  and  anxieties  of 
life  and  spending  the  period  in  communion 
with  the  Infinite  to  recreate  the  mind  and 
develop  the  mood  of  peace.  Thus  to  grow 


110  Into  the  Light. 

stronger  and  better  able  to  provide  for  the 
loved  ones,  and  grow  into  closer  touch  with 
God. 

But  the  leaders  lost  the  object  of  this 
observance  because  they  lost  the  spiritual 
understanding,  and  forced  the  mandate 
upon  material  people  in  a  material  way. 

The  pleasure  of  becoming  lost  in  reverie 
was  changed  into  hatred  of  the  Sabbath 
because  of  its  restrictions. 

If  one  is  in  communion  the  Sabbath  is  a 
day  of  rest  and  inflowing  of  the  Spirit  of 
God.  A  day  to  be  anticipated  with  pleas- 
ure. But  if  one  knows  nothing  of  such 
things  it  is  wrong  to  try  to  force  him  into 
the  observance  by  forbidding  the  natural 
expression  of  the  spirit. 

Let  the  boys  play  ball.  We  are  all  in 
an  evolution  and  their  time  will  come. 

Any  attempt  to  force  religion  upon  any 
one  only  results  in  failure. 

Let  us  grow. 

Some  leaders  along  mental  lines  teach 
that  mind  is  everything;  the  body  nothing; 


Into  the  Light.  Ill 

mind  can  overcome  the  law;  and  similar 
ideas. 

I  am  not  in  sympathy  with  such  profes- 
sions. 

Law  governs  in  every  particular  and  if 
one  was  able  to  overcome  a  law  of  nature 
through  the  power  of  will  it  would  be 
idiotic  to  do  so. 

Why  kick  against  the  pricks  ?  Is  it  not 
more  rational  to  learn  the  law  and  live 
within  it? 

Take  the  law  of  health  for  an  illustra- 
tion. The  body,  to  remain  healthful  and 
symmetrical,  requires  exercise.  A  laborer 
can  eat  heartily  of  any  kind  of  food  and 
never  know  he  has  a  stomach  while  the 
office  man  diets  regularly  and  then  suffers 
from  indigestion  and  constipation. 

For  him  to  deny  the  condition  is  simply 
deceiving  himself  and  does  not  create 
health.  The  best  it  can  do  is  to  secure  non- 
recognition  of  the  pain ;  but  such  deception 
does  not  produce  health,  strength,  and 
vigor. 

His  proper  method  is  to  exercise  until 


112  Into  the  Light. 

it  strengthens  his  constitution.  This  will 
give  mental  vigor  to  advance  the  business 
and  create  harmony  in  which  to  grow  to- 
words  the  absolute. 

Honesty  to  yourself  is  as  necessary  to 
spiritual  growth  as  honesty  to  others. 

Once  the  harmony  necessary  to  secure 
an  inflow  of  divine  thought  is  established 
the  body  will  naturally  become  healthy  by 
substituting  for  the  disease — inharmony — 
a  normal  condition. 

Be  honest  with  yourself.  Do  any  act 
freely  which  does  not  bring  a  loss  of  self- 
respect.  Be  man  or  woman  enough  to  re- 
frain from  such  acts  as  are  repugnant  to 
conscience.  Not  the  subconsciousness,  not 
what  you  have  been  taught ;  but  the  inner 
consciousness,  the  natural  impetus,  the 
soul  impulse. 

Mating  spirit  approved. 

In  a  spirit  of  Love 

From  the  Spirit   above 

For  the  woman  created  as  mine. 

This  union  of  two 

Makes  a  center  so  true 

The  radiance  of  wisdom  can  shine. 


AN  APPEAL 

I  WOULD  enlist  you  in  this  cause,  you 
priests  and  preachers  of  America. 

I  know  you  are,  for  the  greater  part, 
earnest,  conscientious  and  faithful.  You 
speak  each  Sabbath  to  millions,  and  the  in- 
fluence is  felt  daily. 

Will  you  hear  me?  You  prof  ess  to  love 
the  Lord  and  believe  in  Jesus,  the  Naz- 
arene,  or  will  you  lose  sight  of  your  pro- 
fessed love,  of  right,  of  temperance,  of 
freedom  of  expression,  and  with  the  fury 
of  the  Jews  who  cried,  "  Crucify  him! 
Crucify  him!  "  vent  your  spleen  upon  me? 

Personally  it  does  not  matter,  but  if  you 
would  learn  the  great  truth  and  lead  the 
people  upward  the  grateful  world  would 
bow  in  reverence  at  the  mention  of  Chris- 
tianity. 

"3 


114  Into  the  Light. 

Be  tolerant  once.  Consider  that  it  is 
possible  theology  is  wrong.  You  want  to 
be  right,  do  you  not? 

Let  us  analyse  what  is  termed  Christi- 
anity :  First  we  have  the  teachings  he  gave 
but  these  are  subordinate  to  theology,  the 
important  and  particular  part  of  Christi- 
anity as  you  teach  it.  "  Believe  what  I 
tell  you,  or  be  damned,"  in  some  form  is 
the  subject,  of  most  sermons.  You  re- 
quire belief  in  the  begotten  Son,  theory 
and  honesty,  justice  and  truth,  while  de- 
sirable, are  of  secondary  importance. 

I  do  not  believe  in  theology.  I  do  be- 
lieve in  the  spiritual  interpretation  of  the 
sermon  on  the  mount. 

Why  do  I  not  believe  in  theology?  I 
will  go  into  the  matter  to  some  extent. 

My  mother  was  a  Methodist  Episcopal, 
She  was  devout  and  conscientious  and 
taught  me  that  Jesus  Christ  was  the  be- 
gotten Son  of  God,  and  all  the  other  points 
of  their  doctrine. 

I  believed  it  implicitly  because  she  had 


Into  the  Light.  115 

told  me.  Let  us  follow  the  workings  of 
my  mind  until  it  refused  to  longer  accept 
that  idea  as  true,  and  determine  whether 
or  not  such  change  was  justified. 

Until  nearly  twenty  years  of  age  my 
conception  of  God  was  a  powerful  man 
who  was  to  be  dreaded  because  he  kept  an 
account  of  everything  I  did,  and  if  any- 
thing was  sinful  would  wreak  vengeance 
upon  me  after  this  life  was  ended. 

This  kept  me  in  a  constant  dread,  and 
repression,  and  shriveled  my  soul. 

About  this  time  astronomy  interested 
me  to  some  extent.  It  was  wonderful. 
The  thought  of  this  constellation  being  but 
a  part  of  a  vast  universe  of  constellations 
beyond  comprehension  thrilled  me  and 
brought  a  new  conception  of  things. 

All  this  seemed  to  be  the  product  of  na- 
ture and  I  kept  my  man-god. 

From  the  fear  of  this  awful  god  I 
turned  in  relief  to  a  reverence  for  nature. 
Every  part,  the  woods,  the  water,  the  hills, 


116  Into  the  Light. 

the  mountains,  gave  me  comfort  and 
peace. 

My  mind  broadened  and  a  thought  of 
God  as  then  understood,  depressed  me. 
Naturally  I  did  not  want  to  think  of  God, 
or  Christianity.  In  fact,  both  became  ab- 
horrent to  me.  Struggling  in  the  sea  of 
fear  into  which  theology  had  thrown  me; 
worrying  about  what  would  be  my  pun- 
ishment, and  fearing  to  die,  I  lived  in  tur- 
moil and  misery. 

I  could  not  reconcile  the  grandeur  of  na- 
ture with  a  vengeful  man-god  who  would 
create  a  people,  then  lose  control  of  them, 
drown  them  once,  then  be  placated  only  by 
sending  his  own  son  to  be  murdered. 

About  this  time  I  cursed  and  hated 
God,  but  still  believed  in  the  begotten  Son 
doctrine. 

My  attention  was  directed  to  a  volume 
by  Dr.  White  of  Cornell,  entitled,  "  A 
History  of  the  Warfare  of  Science  with 
Theology,"  which  gave  me  courage  to 
doubt  the  inspiration  of  the  bible.  Then 


Into  the  Light.  117 

I  found  that  a  doubt,  which  I  had  been 
afraid  to  recognize,  concerning  my  moth- 
er's God  and  His  begotten  Son,  had  ex- 
isted for  some  time  in  my  mind. 

Then  began  a  struggle  between  early 
teachings  and  nature's  inspiration. 

It  was  terrific,  exhausting,  and  covered 
a  period  of  several  years. 

I  read  Rob't.  Ingersoll's  works,  Thomas 
Paine's  "Age  of  Reason"  and  "The 
Crisis,"  meantime  studying  the  bible  in- 
cessantly. 

Finally,  from  within  came  a  great  and 
agonizing  cry,  "  I  must  know  the  truth," 
and  I  went  into  the  study  of  mind  and  the 
religions  of  the  world  with  serious  intent. 

Christ's  teachings  appealed  to  me  for 
some  unexplainable  reason.  Nowhere 
else  could  be  found  their  equal  in  spiritu- 
ality. 

Leo  Tse,  Zoroaster,  The  Buddha  and 
others  had  taught  as  fre  taught,  but  not 
equally  as  convincingly.  They  were  de- 
ficient somewhere,  to  me. 


118  Into  the  Light. 

From  this  it  seemed  he  must  have  been 
a  god.  I  clung  to  Christianity  but  stayed 
away  from  church  because  theology  de- 
pressed and  angered  me.  I*  resented  it. 

At  times  I  would  get  a  rest  from  the 
struggle  and  sink  into  reverie.  During 
these  periods  convictions  would  come. 

I  pondered  over  what  Jesus  meant  by 
"  Ye  are  Gods  "— "  These  things  that  I 
do  may  ye  do  also  and  more  " — "  The 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  within  you." 

If  we  were  gods  was  He  a  super-god  or 
were  we  equal  in  kind,  but  not  in  power? 

If  we  could  do  what  He  did  we  were 
equal.  If  the  kingdom  was  within  there 
was  no  place  called  heaven. 

These  things  I  could  not  forget.  Either 
I  must  deny  the  truth  of  his  philosophy, 
or  deny  the  begotten  sonship ;  and  "  believ- 
ing "  in  order  to  get  into  heaven,  which 
did  not  exist  as  a  place,  seemed  unneces- 
sary. 

The  philosophy  was  his  direct  words. 
The  sonship  was  men's  conception. 


Into  the  Light.  119 

They  also  had  taught  that  Romulus  was 
a  God,  and  Caesar,  and  others. 

Between  the  truth  of  his  philosophy  and 
the  sonship  I  mentally  preferred  the 
former,  and  since  I  did  not  believe  Ro- 
mulus was  a  god  it  was  easy  to  decline  to 
helieve  that  Jesus  was,  especially  since 
the  men  who  had  formulated  the  idea  at 
the  Council  of  Nice  had  been  taught  by 
Roman  mothers  to  believe  that  Romulus 
was  a  god. 

Thus  the  "  sonship  "  went  overboard. 
Then,  free  at  last  and  at  peace,  I  studied 
telepathy,  hypnotism,  occultism,  and  de- 
veloped reverie  to  some  depth. 

Finally  the  light  broke  in  upon  me, 
making  it  plain  that  Jesus  got  His  power 
through  His  deep  peace  which  established 
the  communion  with  Infinity. 

My  "  nature  "  which  had  been  so  restful, 
was  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  God  of  the 
Nazarene  and  my  God. 

From    that    time    onward    mentality 


120  Into  the  Light. 

opened  to  me  and  the  philosophy  herein 
developed. 

I  know  you  cannot  believe.  You  would 
have  to  reconstruct  your  mind;  be  born 
again. 

But  if  these  things  appeal  to  you  it  is 
the  voice  of  the  God  within  trying  to  be 
heard. 

Develop  the  mood  of  peace  and  the  rest 
will  follow. 

In  love  and  respect  I  address  you.  If 
it  seems  strong  remember  I  am  deeply  in 
earnest  and  feel  strongly. 

Mankind  needs  this  religion,  the  relig- 
ion of  the  man  of  Jewry,  pure  and  unde- 
filed.  It  does  not  need  theology. 

Hear,  then,  this  address: 


AN  ADDRESS 

YE  leaders  of  Christianity,  hear  me! 
You  have  buried  the  spirit  of  the  Nazarene 
under  the  smothering  blanket  of  theology 
and  well  nigh  extinguished  it. 

Know  ye  that  the  world  is  waiting  with 
hearts  a-hunger  to  be  shown  the  way  and 
because  ye  are  lost  in  the  wilderness  of 
speculation  ye  cannot. 

When  they  ask  for  bread  ye  give  them 
a  stone. 

Will  ye  persist  in  your  blindness  until 
his  truth  is  as  dead  as  your  theology  and 
the  world  has  lost  the  light. 

Awake,  awake!  Already  the  world 
passeth  you  by  with  averted  head  and 
sneering  lips. 

Think  you  that  the  few  who  gather  to- 
gether, women  and  weaklings,  to  hear 
your  cold  formality,  your  crafty  render- 
121 


122  Into  the  Light. 

ing  of  a  bloody  creed,  are  those  who  are 
moving  the  world  of  to-day?  Do  you  ask 
the  applicant  for  admission  to  your  organ- 
ization whether  he  understands  what  was 
meant  by  "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
righteousness  and  all  these  things  shall  be 
added  unto  you." 

"Ye  are  Gods."  "The  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  within  you,"  or  do  you  ask  him 
whether  he  believes  in  the  scheme  of  salva- 
tion, the  begotten  sonship  of  Jesus,  the  re- 
mission of  sins  by  faith  in  the  bloody  sacri- 
fice on  the  cross? 

Know  ye  that  theology  is  your  religion, 
not  Christianity.  You  focus  on  it.  Em- 
phasise it  and  do  not  understand  or  prac- 
tice his  truths. 

Think  you  that  ye  are  vital  and  know 
the  truth? 

Again  I  say  unto  you,  Hear  me!  for 
the  spirit  must  be  saved,  or  we  will  go 
back  into  a  brilliant,  cold,  scientific  bar- 
barity far  worse  than  the  dark  ages  the 
world  once  knew. 


Into  the  Light.  123 

Either  humble  yourselves  and  learn,  or 
Christianity  must  die,  and  be  replaced 
after  long  years,  by  the  spirit  of  God  as 
given  by  one  who  will  come  in  answer  to 
the  demand. 

Your  scheme  of  salvation  is  ridiculous, 
the  product  of  barbarous  minds  which 
were  never  lighted  by  the  spirit  of  wis- 
dom. It  is  not  in  conformity  to  the  word 
he  gave  us. 

Your  begotten  son  theory  is  the  product 
of  the  pagan  religion  of  the  Romans  and 
not  in  unity  with  what  Jesus  taught. 

Both  are  the  product  of  a  barbarous  age 
and  totally  unfit  for  the  cleaner  minds  of 
modern  life. 

But  that  is  not  the  worst.  In  your  ig- 
norance you  center  on  faith  in  what  you 
teach  as  a  requisite  to  eternal  life  in  peace ; 
when  we  are  living  in  eternity  now,  and 
peace  is  a  product  of  concentrative  rest 
which  comes  to  all  who  seek;  comes  here 
and  now,  and  lasts  forever. 


124  Into  the  Light. 

You  prepare  for  a  life  to  come  and  for- 
feit the  life  we  know. 

Your  minds  are  the  minds  of  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  who  cried,  "  We  have  Moses 
to  our  fathers,  but  as  to  this  fellow  we 
know  not  whence  he  came,"  and  refused 
to  listen  and  to  learn. 

Then  you  idly  wonder  why  your 
churches  are  empty  and  Christianity  fal- 
len into  disrespect. 

I  tell  you  that  the  Spirit  comes  to  the 
heart  now,  not  after  death,  as  you  term 
it,  and  leads  the  man  in  every  detail  of  his 
life.  In  business,  in  religion,  in  the  home, 
and  it  is  all  sufficient  for  every  need.  It 
places  no  ban  upon  action  while  you  have 
written  a  volume  of  "  must  nots  "  to  gov- 
ern every  petty  act  of  life. 

In  such  restriction  you  have  bound  the 
lives  of  men  in  grave  cloth  and  shut  out 
the  spirit  from  their  souls.  It  comes  to 
those  out  of  the  church  as  often  as  to  those 
within. 

This  is  the  greatest  age  mankind  has 


Into  the  Light.  125 

known.  The  philosophy  of  might  makes 
right,  justifying  every  atrocity  that  adds 
to  the  interest  of  might,  is  in  a  giant  strug- 
gle with  the  Spirit  of  Justice  for  suprem- 
acy. 

The  spiritual  are  crying  out  against  the 
injustice  of  the  material  and  you  on  whom 
the  burden  of  the  battle  for  right  should 
rest,  are  going  unheeding  upon  your  way. 

Your  good  intentions  and  your  kindness 
of  heart  are  dwarfed  by  the  sophistry  and 
evasion  made  necessary  to  bolster  up  an 
untenable  creed. 

There  is  no  truth  in  your  scheme  of  sal- 
vation, the  trinity,  nor  the  begotten  Son  of 
God. 

"  For  I  say  unto  you,  that  excepting 
your  righteousness  shall  exceed  the  right- 
eousness of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  ye 
shall  in  no  case  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven." 

You  have  clung  to  your  theology  after 
it  was  proven  false  and  tried  by  every  ex- 
pedient to  bolster  it  until  forced  to  recede. 


126  Into  the  Light. 

Your  persecution  of  Galilee  to  preserve 
a  flat  world,  of  Copernicus  to  preserve 
your  "  signs  and  wonders,"  was  no  more 
emphatic  than  your  denunciation  of  the 
man  who,  to-day,  dares  dispute  the  truth 
of  the  scheme  of  salvation,  and  the  begot- 
ten Sonship  of  God.  In  your  view  the 
former  was  impious  in  those  days,  and  the 
latter  is  impious  to-day. 

Can  you  not  grasp  the  absurdity  of  an 
all-powerful  Creator  who  moves  constel- 
lations, resorting  to  such  an  expedient  as 
sending  his  Son  to  save  a  world  which  he 
had  created  and  made  a  mistake  by  creat- 
ing them  evil?  The  childishness  of  your 
platitudes  is  pitiable. 

Any  normal  man  in  this  20th  century 
could  create  a  more  consistent  scheme. 
Drop  it  and  be  honest.  Men  now  think 
and  demand  to  know. 

Every  step  science  has  made  has  been 
opposed  by  theology,  yet  every  step  has 
been  for  the  betterment  of  society  and  con- 
sistent with  the  teachings  of  Jesus. 


Into  the  Light.  127 

There  is  no  conflict  between  science  and 
the  Christian  religion.  It  rings  as  true  as 
when  He  taught  on  the  mountain  top 
and  will  ever  ring  true  because  it  is  true. 

There  is  a  conflict  between  science  and 
theology,  also  between  Christianity  and 
theology,  and  the  latter  must  give  way. 

You  take  theology,  moral  law,  religion, 
charity,  sociology,  and  ethics  and,  binding 
them  in  one  sheave,  call  it  Christianity. 

Moral  law  is  not  peculiar  to  any  creed, 
nor  the  property  of  any  sect. 

There  can  be  no  Buddhist  morality;  no 
Mohammedan  morality ;  no  Christian  mor- 
ality. Morality  is  morality — the  gift  of 
the  Gods  to  mankind — and  peculiarly  the 
property  of  the  individual.  On  the  com- 
mon ground  of  right  conduct  Buddhist  can 
meet  Mohammedan;  Mohammedan  meet 
Christian;  Christian  meet  Infidel;  and 
scientist  meet  all  and  join  in  harmonious 
approval  of  those  things  which  are  right. 

Religion  is  the  belief  that  binds  a  man 


128  Into  the  Light. 

to  his  God.  The  Buddhist,  the  Moham- 
medan, the  Agnostic  may  be  as  deeply  re- 
ligious as  the  Christian. 

Charity  is  world- wide  and  is  the  product 
of  the  individual  without  regard  to  his 
faith.  It  has  been  common  to  mankind 
since  history  began  and  Christianity  has 
no  claim  upon  it. 

Ethics,  or  the  science  of  human  duty,  is 
not  the  exclusive  property  of  any  sect,  but 
belongs  to  the  world. 

I  have  little  patience  with  your  claims 
that  everything  worth  having  is  due  to 
your  particular  faith. 

Even  the  instructions  of  Jesus  had  been 
given  at  intervals  long  before  he  lived.  It 
is  but  the  message  of  God  to  mankind  and 
will  come  to  any  man  who  finds  the  deep 
peace  of  mind  which  brings  him  into  ac- 
cord with  Divine  Life. 

Entering  into  our  lives  to  the  minutest 
detail  the  interpretation  fixes  the  future  of 
the  race. 

If  we  take  it  in  the  highest  and  best 


Into  the  Light.  129 

sense,  and  live  in  accordance  thereto,  a 
strong,  clean,  and  virile  race  is  developed. 
Any  lesser  interpretation  degenerates 
mankind. 

It  requires  no  faith  for  its  propagation 
— no  missionaries  for  its  distribution. 
Born  in  the  child  it  is  divine  and  teaches 
itself  to  all.  As  mankind  develops  in  in- 
tellect, its  finer  and  higher  forms  are  intu- 
itively developed.  Thou  shalt  not  kill 
becomes  thou  shall  not  hate — and  finer 
grown,  love  supplants  the  desire  to  do 
either. 

Remove  the  recollection  of  every  creed, 
past  and  present,  from  every  man  and  the 
moral  law,  or  God's  message  to  man  as 
taught  on  the  mountain,  will  remain  as  a 
guide  to  conduct. 

You  say,  "  Our  Christianity  must  be 
true — see  how  it  has  grown."  Listen: 

Gotama  Sakyasinha  found  a  particu- 
larly fertile  field  in  Southern  Asia  for  his 
Buddhism  and,  assisted  by  the  purity  of 
his  life  and  the  earnestness  of  his  appeal, 


130  Into  the  Light. 

the  doctrine  grew  by  leaps  and  bounds.  It 
numbers  more  adherents  to-day  than  any 
other  sect.  Mohamet  was  a  man  of  fire. 
His  energy  sent  a  conquering  army 
through  India,  Egypt,  Morrocco  and 
Spain.  The  savage  Christians  stopped 
them  in  a  terrific  battle  at  Poitiers,  in 
France,  and  hurled  back  the  broken  ranks 
into  Spain.  The  battle  axe  of  the  Frank- 
ish  Charles  saved  Europe  for  Christianity. 
We  would  be  proclaiming  that  Mohamet 
was  the  prophet  of  God,  with  the  same 
vigor  we  proclaim  that  Christ  was  the  be- 
gotten Son  of  God,  had  the  Arabs  won 
that  battle. 

When  the  Chrisitan  declared  that  Jesus 
was  a  God  the  Mohammedans  cried, 
"Allah  is  Allah!  and  Mohamet  is  his 
prophet."  Then  both,  forgetting  the 
teaching  of  love  and  the  rights  of  human- 
ity, flashed  their  swords  in  a  battle  of  ex- 
termination. 

Christ  was  not  crucified  to  save  the 
world,  but  because  his  lessons  were  not  in 


Into  the  Light.  131 

accordance  with  Mosaical  law  and  aroused 
the  wrath  of  the  orthodox  Jews.  Just  as 
an  "  infidel "  is  shunned  and  mobbed  in 
America.  Jesus  understood  this.  When 
He  said,  "  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to 
send  peace  on  earth;  I  came  not  to  send 
peace,  but  a  sword,"  he  had  in  mind  the 
effect  his  doctrine  would  have  upon  the 
minds  of  the  conformists  and  knew  they 
would  oppose  it.  Thus  was  brought  about 
His  crucifixion.  It  was  not  so  ordained 
by  the  Supreme  in  a  scheme  of  salvation — 
not  a  fiat  of  Infinity  in  a  plan  to  save  a 
world. 

"  He  that  hath  ears  to  hear  let  him 
hear." 

The  doctrine  of  the  Divinity  of  Jesus 
does  a  positive  harm  to  religion.  If  he 
was  a  man  we  may  hope  to  develop  into  his 
kind  of  mind,  may  learn  the  mood  of 
peace  wherein  he  found  his  wisdom. 

If  he  was  God  and  we  are  men  hope  flees 
and  we,  as  underlings,  can  never  find  the 
God  in  self. 


132  Into  the  Light. 

"  These  things  that  I  do  may  ye  do  also 
and  more." 

If  the  whole  cargo  of  theology  was  cast 
into  the  sea  and  the  ship  loaded  with  plain 
love  and  gentleness;  plain  justice  and 
truth;  and  the  truth  taught  understand- 
ingly  the  human  race  would  flock  to  the 
churches  and  esteem  it  a  privilege.  The- 
ology has  lost  caste;  but  Christianity  has 
not  lost  caste.  Its  message  never  will,  be- 
cause it  is  in  harmony  with  the  voice  that 
inspires.  The  spirit  of  love  is  constantly 
at  work  in  the  world  purifying  and  ennob- 
ling our  minds. 

Our  religion  is  following  slowly  behind. 
Every  generation  sees  some  part  of  the 
gloomy  and  depressing  theology  obliter- 
ated. 

An  adverse  comment  upon  the  things 
He  taught  us  is  never  heard.  We  do  hear 
a  constant  denunciation  of  the  theologian's 
afterthought — the  scheme  of  salvation, 
the  Divinity  of  Christ,  and  the  three 
headed  God. 


Into  the  Light.  133 

The  justice  and  truth  which  the  Su- 
preme puts  into  our  minds  has  taught  re- 
bellion against  those  things. 

We  need  the  help  of  every  honest  priest 
and  preacher  in  the  world.  Drop  your 
theology,  I  beseech  you,  learn  the  law  of 
mind  and  develop  the  god  within  yourself, 
then  lead  your  people  on  the  way. 

Do  you  want  understanding?  Then 
take  an  hour  daily  in  the  seclusion  of  your 
room  and  rest  your  mind  and  body  in  per- 
fect quiet,  desiring  to  know  what  is  true. 

Guidance  into  wisdom  will  come.  The 
shackles  of  early  teachings  will  drop  off 
and  the  God  in  man  manifest  itself. 


Paths  to 
Power 

By  FLOYD  B.  WILSON 
CONTENTS 


One's  Atmosphere 
Growth 

A  Psychic  Law  in  Student  Work 
Unfoldment 

Power:  How  to  Attain  It 
Harmony 

The  Assertion  of  the  I 

The  Tree  of  Knowledge — of  Good  and  Evil 
Conditions 
Faith 

Back   of   Vibrations 
Wasted  Energy 
Something  About  Genius 

Shakespeare:     How  He  Told  His  Secret  in   the 
"Dream"  and  the  "Tempest" 


12mo,  Cloth,  $1.00 


THE  MYSTIC  WILL 

BY  CHARLES  G.  LELAND. 

HPHIS  book  gives  the  methods  of  development 
•••  and  strengthening  the  latent  powers  of  the 
mind  and  the  hidden  forces  of  the  will  by  a  simple, 
scientific  process  possible  to  any  person  of  ordi- 
nary intelligence.  The  author's  first  discovery  was 
that  Memory,  whether  mental,  visual,  or  of  any 
other  kind,  could,  in  connection  with  Art,  be  won- 
derfully improved,  and  to  this  in  time  came  the 
consideration  that  the  human  Will,  with  all  its 
mighty  power  and  deep  secrets,  could  be  disciplined 
and  directed,  or  controlled,  with  as  great  care  as 
the  memory  or  the  mechanical  faculty.  In-  a  cer- 
tain sense  the  three  are  one,  and  the  reader  who 
will  take  the  pains  to  master  the  details  of  this 
book  will  readily  grasp  it  as  a  whole,  and  under- 
stand that  its  contents  form  a  system  of  education, 
yet  one  from  which  the  old  as  well  as  the  young 
may  profit. 

Table  of  Contents : 

Attention   and  Interest  Memory  Culture. 

Self-Suggestion.  The  Constructive 

Will-Development.  ^n^n. 

Forethought.  The  subliminal  Self. 

Will  and  Character.  Paracelsus. 

Suggestion  and  Instinct.  Last  Words. 

Popular-priced  American  edition,  bound  in  cloth, 
1 19  pages,  postpaid,  50  cents 


R.  F.  FENNO  8  COMPANY    -    NEW  YORK 


The  Law  of  the 
Rhythmic  Breath 

By   E.  A.    FLETCHER 


THIS  book  explains  for  the  first  time  in  West- 
ern literature,  in  a  convincingly  clear  and 
simple  form  and  with  convincing  proofs,  the  basic 
truths  of  the  Rhythmic  Breath  as  taught  in 
ancient  Hindu  philosophy  and  developed  by  the 
author. 

It  embodies  the  most  complete  Science  and 
Philosophy  of  Life  ever  presented  to  the  Western 
World. 

Other  books — legion  in  number — claim  to  dis- 
close Eastern  mysteries :  This  book  does !  It 
carries  you  by  clearly  defined  paths  to  the  gate- 
way of  bodily  health  and  spiritual  power.  It  de- 
pends upon  the  individual  whether  he  pass 
through.  The  knowledge  is  here;  its  application 
brings  illuminating  results. 

These  truths  involve  a  knowledge  of  the  Law 
of  Vibrations  or  the  basic  law  of  the  universe. 

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HOW  TO  LIVE  FOREVER 

THE  SCIENCE  AND  PRACTICE 
a* 

By  HARRY  GAZE. 


work  shows  exactly  how  to  perpetuate  life  in 
physical  embodiment.  By  co-operation  with 
known  laws  of  change  and  growth,  man  may  have  eter- 
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that  may  be  prevented  and  cured. 

Harry  Gaze  is  thoroughly  scientific,  and  founds  his 
theories  on  the  latest  biological  discoveries. 

"Its  promises  are  Incontrovertible  facts,  and  the  deductions 
cannot  be  disproved.  There  Is  much  that  is  Gospel  Truth."  — 
Louisville  Courier-Journal. 

"To  Mr.  Gaze  can  be  paid  a  compliment  which  few  have 
earned.  He  is  a  good  physiologist,  and  his  book  is  at  once 
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R.  C.  LatHon,  Ed.  Health  Culture. 

"Mr.  Gaze's  book  will  be  read."  —  Chicago  Tribune. 

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the  here  and  now."  —  Mind. 

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would  prolong  life."  —  Scientific  American. 

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value."  —  Bosten  Ideas. 


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BOOKS 

By 

JAMES  ALLEN 
* 

As  a  Man  Thiiiketh 
Out  from  the  Heart 
The  Heavenly  Life 
Entering  the  Kingdom 
The  Way  of  Peace 
The  Path  of  Prosperity 
Through  the  Gate  of  Good 
Morning  and  Evening 
Thoughts 

E.ch 

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From  Poverty  to  Power 

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The  Life  Triumphant 

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